Late rally falls short as Libby softball drops fourth straight

Despite a strong showing at the plate and a late push in the seventh inning, the Libby Loggers fell 5-4 to Columbia Falls on Thursday, extending their losing streak to four and dropping to 2-5 on the season.

Libby outhit the Wildkats 10-7 and had multiple scoring opportunities throughout the game but couldn’t recover from a costly fourth inning where Columbia Falls plated four runs.

Rachel Kosters led the Logger offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Madison Vincent added two hits, including a double, and Peyton Waggoner and Bently Houston each drove in runs.

Carmen Kohler started in the circle and went 3 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits and four walks. Maddi Willis entered in relief and pitched effectively, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up just one hit.

Defensively, the Loggers committed three errors but Libby kept the game within reach and mounted a final rally in the seventh, scoring twice before Columbia Falls closed the door.

Weslee MacDonald and Maddi Willis also added hits in the competitive effort, but the Loggers ultimately came up one run short.

Thursday, April 17

At Columbia Falls

COLUMBIA FALLS 5, LIBBY 4

Libby - 0010102 - 4 - 10 - 3

C-Falls - 010400x - 5 - 7 - 1

LIBBY HITTING: Madison Vincent 2-4, Bently Houston 1-3, Rachel Kosters 3-4, Dakota Allen 1-4, Peyton Waggoner 1-4, Hadleigh Wood 0-4, Maddi Willis 1-3, Leah Rusdal 0-2, Teighler Purdy 0-1, Weslee MacDonald 1-2; RBI: Houston, Kosters 2, Waggoner; 2B: Vincent, Kosters

LIBBY PITCHING: Carmen Kohler (3 and 2/3IP, 6H, 5R, 5ER, 4BB, 2SO), Maddi Willis (2 and 1/3IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0SO)

Libby softball falls to Ronan

Despite a 13-hit effort at the plate, Libby softball couldn’t overcome defensive miscues and a relentless Ronan offense Tuesday, falling 18-8 in a six-inning road contest.

Libby opened the game with energy, scoring three in the second inning and keeping pace through the early frames. Madison Vincent led the offensive charge with a 3-for-5 day, including a double, while Dakota Allen went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Rachel Kosters, Peyton Waggoner, and Leah Rusdal also contributed multi-hit games, giving Libby consistent pressure at the plate.

However, eight defensive errors proved costly, as Ronan used aggressive baserunning and contact to score in five of six innings, including a decisive eight-run fourth that turned a close contest into a runaway.

Starting pitcher Carmen Kohler went 3 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and 14 runs—eight of them earned—while walking seven. Maddi Willis pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing four hits and four more runs.

The Loggers stayed within striking distance after the top of the fourth, trailing just 8-6, but were unable to stop Ronan’s offensive surge in the bottom of the frame.

Tuesday, April 15

At Ronan

RONAN 18, LIBBY 8

Libby - 103210 - 8 - 13 - 8

Ronan - 323802 - 18 - 8 - 7

LIBBY HITTING: Madison Vincent 3-5, Bently Houston 0-3, Rachel Kosters 2-3, Dakota Allen 3-4, Peyton Waggoner 2-4, Weslee MacDonald 1-3, Maddi Willis 0-4, Teighler Parker 1-4, Leah Rusdal 1-3; RBI: Kosters, Allen, Waggoner, MacDonald; 2B: Allen, Vincent

LIBBY PITCHING: Carmen Kohler (3 and 2/3IP, 4H, 14R, 8ER, 7BB, 1SO), Maddi Willis (2IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 1SO)