FLORENCE — Two Western B rivals brought along their best bats to a conference showdown on Thursday. The St. Ignatius-Arlee-Charlo co-op survived on the Florence Falcons’ home field, 16-15. The win moves the Bulldogs closer to the two-time defending state champion Falcons in the league standings.
Olivia Garland provided the biggest hit in a game full of them. With the score tied 14-14 in the top of the seventh inning, Garland drove a two-run home run over the fence in center field. The final runs of the game held up for the Bulldogs, even though Florence made another rally.
Natalie Dulac drove in a run in the bottom of the seventh with a double and advanced to third with two outs. Liev Smith got a final strikeout to end the game, giving the visitors the victory.
Florence never led in the game after St. Ignatius-Arlee-Charlo scored six runs in the top of the first. But a four-run sixth inning helped out by a two-run triple by Emily Kinnaman brought the Falcons back to a 14-14 tie game.
Garland drove in four runs total in the slugfest. Caitlin Sorrell, Asia Umphrey and Shayanne Reum each drove in two for the Bulldogs. Kasidy Yeoman and Kinnaman each had three RBI for the Falcons. The teams combined for 26 hits and 16 errors in the crazy contest.
