Ronan Softball blanks Whitefish, sneaks past Co-Falls

Fueled by an explosive second inning and a lights-out pitching performance, the Ronan Maidens cruised past Whitefish 15-0 in a three-inning mercy-rule win on Tuesday, April 8, then slipped past Columbia Falls April 10 in a tighter matchup 6-4.

Ronan 15, Whitefish 0

Last Tuesday’s home-field rout marked Ronan’s third consecutive victory, bringing the team to an even 3-3 on the season.

After a steady three-run opening frame, the Maidens blew the game wide open in the bottom of the second, plating 12 runs and showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Ronan racked up nine hits in the contest while taking full advantage of Whitefish’s defensive miscues.

Neveah Perez led the offensive onslaught, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs. Perez also smashed a double and a home run, continuing her hot streak in the batter’s box.

Kai-Cee Sorrell delivered a powerful performance as well, driving in three runs and going 1-for-1 with a home run of her own.

Ronan showed depth throughout the lineup. Ally Luedtke and Kailyn Marengo both went 1-for-1, with Luedtke lacing a double and Marengo adding a double and RBI. Kylee Kelch and Hadassah Read chipped in with key hits and RBIs, and Shelby Taylor and Sorrell each added a hit in the team’s dominant showing.

In the circle, Marengo controlled the pace, throwing a complete-game gem over three innings. The right-hander allowed just one hit, issued no walks, and struck out eight of the 10 batters she faced, keeping Whitefish off-balance throughout.

The shutout was backed by clean defense, with the Maidens committing no errors behind their pitcher. The win marks the third straight game Ronan has held opponents to five runs or fewer while scoring in double digits themselves in two of those games.

Whitefish, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going offensively, managing just one hit and committing two errors in the field.

Ronan 6, Columbia Falls 4

A late-game surge helped Ronan secure a 6-4 victory over Columbia Falls in a non-league softball matchup last Thursday, as timely hitting and steady pitching lifted the Maidens to a winning record on the season.

Trailing 4-2 midway through the contest, Ronan plated two runs in the fifth to tie it, then added a pair of go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh. The Maidens improved to 4-3 overall with the win.

Ronan was opportunistic on offense, manufacturing six runs on just three hits while capitalizing on seven walks and three Columbia Falls errors. Neveah Perez, Autumn Lozeau, and Hadassah Read each recorded a hit for the Maidens. Read and Kailyn Marengo each drove in two runs to fuel Ronan’s comeback.

Marengo also got it done in the circle, pitching a complete game. She allowed eight hits and four earned runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking four. After allowing four runs in the third inning, Marengo shut down Columbia Falls the rest of the way.

Ronan jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning before Columbia Falls responded with a four-run third to take control. The Wildkats were led by Addy Bowler, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, and Annika Reed, Katie Bulawsky, Onnikka Lawrence, and Chevelle Bedford, who each chipped in hits. Lawrence, Reed, Bulawsky and Bella Mann each drove in runs.

Columbia Falls starting pitcher Ella Branstetter held Ronan to one hit through 4 2/3 innings, giving up two unearned runs while striking out four. Bulawsky took over in relief and was charged with the loss, surrendering four runs — three earned — on two hits and five walks over the final 2 1/3 innings.

RONAN 15, WHITEFISH 0

W-Fish - 000 - 0 - 1 - 2

Ronan - 3(12)x - 15 - 9 - 0

RONAN HITTING: Ally Luedtke 1-1, Autumn Lozeau 0-2, Neveah Perez 3-3, Kailyn Marengo 1-1, Kylee Kelch 1-2, Hadassah Read 1-3, Hanna Lytton 0-2, Shelby Taylor 1-1, Kai-Cee Sorrell 1-1; RBI: Lozeau, Perez 4, Marengo, Kelch, Read 2, Sorrel 3; 2B: Luedtke, Marengo, Perez; HR: Sorrel, Perez

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Marengo (3IP, 1H, 0R, 8SO)

RONAN 6, COLUMBIA FALLS 4

Ronan - 2000202 - 6 - 3 - 0

C-Falls - 0040000 - 4 - 8 - 3

COLUMBIA FALLS HITTING: Tayler Lingle 0-2, Addy Bowler 3-4, Onnikka Lawrence 1-4, Annika Reed 1-2, Bella Mann 0-3, Kylie Gjesdal-Davis 0-1, Alexa Friske, Katie Bulawsky 1-3, Sydnee Burke 1-3, Chevelle Bedford 1-3; RBI: Lawrence, Reid, Mann, Bulawsky; 2B: Bowler

COLUMBIA FALLS PITCHING: Ella Branstetter (4 and 2/3IP, 1H, 2R, 0ER, 2BB, 4SO), Katie Bulwasky (2 and 1/3IP, 2H, 4R, 3ER, 5BB, 2SO)

RONAN HITTING: Ally Luedtke 0-1, Autumn Lozeau 1-3, Neveah Perez 1-2, Kailyn Marengo 0-1, Hadassah Read 1-4, Hanna Lytton 0-1, S Torgison 0-3, Kylee Kelch 0-3, Shelby Taylor 0-4, Kai-Cee Sorrell 0-3; RBI: Marengo 2, Read 2

RONAN PITCHING: Kailyn Morengo (7IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 4BB, 6SO)