HELENA — Mariah English hurled 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work as the Helena High softball team defeated Western AA foe Kalispell Flathead 8-2 on Saturday afternoon.
English took advantage of offense provided by Vanessa Walsh, who drove in a pair of runs and added two hits, and Jamie Pickens’ team-high three hits.
Riley Chouinard had a game-high four hits, but only one drove in a run as Flathead’s offense struggled to cross home plate.
Earlier in the afternoon, Kalispell Glacier picked up a 10-5 win over Helena. The Wolfpack sparked a 3-0 first-inning lead and never looked back.
Sophi Smith had four RBI on four hits, each game-highs, while Kynzie Mohl and Meg Hornby connected three hits apiece in the win. Sage Vanterpool stifled the Helena High batters, tallying 10 strikeouts in the seven-inning affair.
English and Tyleigh Burchard each took turns on the hill for Helena, combining for six strikeouts. Jamie Pickens drove in two of the Bengals’ five runs in the seventh inning, but Helena’s rally fell short.
Helena High hosts Missoula Sentinel in another Western AA contest on Thursday. Opening pitch is slated for 5 p.m.
