Falcons top Hawks in softball openers

That is one tough way to start a season.

The Thompson Falls Lady Hawk softball team opened season play with a doubleheader at Florence Saturday, for the second straight season starting out against the defending State B-C champions on their own field.

With Florence expected to be a powerhouse team once more, the home-standing Falcons appear to be capable of meeting those sky-high expectations again and swept the Hawks 13-1 and 16-0.

Lady Hawk coach Jared Koskela said his team competed hard in Florence.

“That is a tough way to start, playing the defending state champs on their own field, and we have done it the past two years,” he said. “Florence did not lose much from last year, they look capable of making it three in a row this season.”

Koskela said the Hawks played the Falcons very well early on in Florence.

After junior pitcher Kelsey Frank registered a bases-loaded strikeout to end a Florence threat in the top of the first inning of the first game, Belle Cooper scored for the Hawks on a line drive single by Brooke Bowlin to give Thompson Falls a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Behind Frank’s continued strong pitching, the Hawks trailed only 2-1 into the bottom of the third inning before Florence plated three runs to finally open up a 5-1 lead.

“Their bats kind of came alive after that but we showed we can play with them,” Koskela offered. “Now it is just a matter of keep on competing and trying to get better, and becoming more confident as we go.”

The Hawks continue season play with a pair of doubleheaders this coming week, playing two in Eureka Saturday and two more in Mission, against Mission-Arlee-Charlo, Monday afternoon.

Bowlin, Riley Wilson, Aidin Losure and Abbi Lane all collected base hits in the first game and Bowlin had a run batted in. Frank struck out five Falcon hitters in the game.

In the second game, pitched by Faith Frields for the Hawks, Wilson and Losure each had a base hit.

Florence’s Natalie Dulac led the Falcons in the first game with a home run, a double and four runs batted in while pitcher Shannon Byrne picked up the win. Kylie Kovatch pitched the second game win for the Falcons and rapped out a double and a triple to lead Florence’s offense in that game.