BILLINGS – Billings Senior is heading to the Class AA state softball tournament after sweeping Bozeman in a AA playoff matchup on Thursday.
The Broncs trailed 3-1 in the fourth inning of game one, but with two on, Payton Meyer blasted a 3-run homer to give Senior the lead for good.
Ellie Ostermiller started and finished it on the mound for the Broncs. The junior struck out 15, including the last four of the game to wrap up the complete game 8-5 victory.
In game two the Broncs jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and never gave it back.
A 2-run single from Lauren Gordon and a booming 2-run double by Ostermiller highlighted the 4-run third inning.
Senior would add insurance in the top of the fourth inning for a 6-0 lead. It appeared the Broncs would coast home from there, but Bozeman rallied in the bottom half of the inning.
The Hawks broke through for 2-runs, and the bases were still loaded for catcher Kayli Wiers. With two outs, Wiers sent a drive deep to left field. Cassidy Venner raced back to the wall, reached up and hauled it in to steal what would have been a game-tying grand slam.
Senior added on to their lead late in the game and were never threatened again as they won game two, 10-3.
