Scotties Softball Enters Divisional as Strong Second Seed

The Glasgow Scottie softball team knows how to battle.

Coming from behind to beat two tough opponents last weekend-including going to the extra inning-has the girls feeling confident as they enter the Eastern B-C Divisional Tournament in Conrad, May 15-16.

"These girls dig deep and work hard. Six times this season we've had comeback wins. Our team gets along well, they stay positive and cheer each other on. They work really hard and I am proud of these girls," said Head Coach Mark Falcon.

At the Glasgow Invitational last weekend, Glasgow did what it set out to do and won all three conference games by beating Great Falls Central (15-14), Shepherd (9-8), and Shelby (11-1). With a 15-2 overall record and 7-1 in conference, Glasgow maintains its second-place standing behind the undefeated Conrad Cowgirls.

Two of those three victories at home demonstrated how tough the Scotties were. Down 14-11 going into the seventh inning against Great Falls Central, pitcher Tyra Johnson held the Mustang girls scoreless by striking out the side. Starting with a base hit from Kiauna Barstad at the bottom of the seventh, the Scotties went on a strong hitting barrage that ended with a walk-off from Teagan Fossum which brought Sadie Sukut home, beating Great Falls 15-14.

The victory was sweet, considering that Glasgow was down 8-2 after the third inning and played catch-up the entire game. The Scotties did commit 13 errors.

Going into extra inning was what it took to win game 2 against Shepherd. Glasgow was able to keep it close by not falling more than 2 runs behind, and reducing fielding errors to three. Tied at the end of regulation, an RBI hit from Abbi Kolstad sent the 8th inning victory to the Scotties, 9-8. The only two seniors on the team, Autumn Hopkins and Sadie Sukut had outstanding hitting. Hopkins went 1-2 with a home run, and Sukut 2-3 also with a home run.

Game 3 was a breather, as Glasgow cruised to a 11-1 win over Shelby in six innings.

Pitcher Tyra Johnson picked up all three wins.

Teagan Fossum was the winning pitcher in a 19-2 win over the Sidney Lady Eagles on May 5.

Coach Falcon appreciated all the support from the Scottie fans. "This is the largest crowd I've ever seen here," referring to the Sullivan Field Complex. Six schools participated in the tournament: Glasgow, Great Falls Central, Shepherd, Shelby, Huntley Project, and Colstrip.

Now that the postseason begins, coach Falcon needs the players to sharpen their fielding in order to stay ahead at the Divisionals. "Our hitting is strong, and we are able to hit our way out of deficits sometimes. We just need to clean up our errors," said Falcon. It's also crucial to get that first out. "In the Great Falls game, every lead-off got on base except one. So we want to get that first batter out every inning, by improving pitching and fielding."

The Scotties will leave for Conrad on Thursday, May 14. They open the Divisionals with No. 7 seed Cut Bank Lady Wolves on Friday morning at 10. Four teams out of the Eastern Conference and four teams Western will advance to State, which is scheduled for May 21-23 in Belgrade.

EASTERN B-C FINAL SEASON

STANDING:

Conrad 8-0

Glasgow 7-1

Great Falls Central 5-3 (beat Huntley Project 18-11)

Huntley Project 5-3

Stillwater 4-4 (Beat Shepherd 18-5)

Shepherd 4-4

Cut Bank 2-6

Shelby 1-7

Colstrip 0-8

GAME NOTES FROM GLASGOW INVITATIONAL, MAY 8-9

Glasgow 15, Great Falls Central 14

Khloe Krumwiede went1-5, Tiana Johnson 4-5, Abbi Kolstad 3-4, Tyra Johnson 1-3, Sadie Sukut 2-3, Kiauna Barstad 3-5, Autumn Hopkins 1-2, Ziggy Chamberlain 1-2, Lexi Nixdorf 1-4, Teagan Fossum 1-4. Pitcher Tyra Johnson went 7 innings, giving up 14 hits, walking 3 and striking out 7. Glasgow had 13 errors.

Against Great Falls pitcher A. Armstrong, the Scotties walked 4 times and struck out just once.

Glasgow 9, Shepherd 8 in 8 innings

Khloe Krumwiede 3-5, Tiana Johnson 3-5, Abbi Kolstad 1-4, Tyra Johnson 1-4, Sadie Sukut 2-3, Kiauna Barstad 0-3, Kennedy Schmidt 0-0, Autumn Hopkins 1-2, Lexi Nixdorf 1-3, Teagan Fossum 2-4. Tyra Johnson completed 8 innings, giving up 9 hits &1 home run, walking 6 and striking out 8.

Against Shepherd pitcher Bailey Daugherty, the Scotties walked twice with no strikeouts.

Glasgow 11, Shelby 1

Khloe Krumwiede 2-4, Tiana Johnson 2-4, Abbi Kolstad 1-4, Tyra Johnson 3-4, Sadie Sukut 1-1, Kiauna Barstad 1-4, Autumn Hopkins 0-2, Ashtyn Myrick 0-1, Jordan Johnson 0-1, Lexi Nixdorf 0-2, Ziggy Chamberlain 1-1, Teagan Fossum 0-2, Rachel Boese 0-1. Tyra Johnson went 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, walking none and striking out 11.

Against Shelby pitcher K. Kelleger, the Scotties walked twice and struck out 9 times.