The Bravettes came roaring back in Game 2, proving that sometimes all you need is a second chance to find your swing. After a tough 5-1 loss to Great Falls CMR where they managed just three hits, Flathead's offense exploded for a season-best performance, pounding out 19 hits and cruising to a 19-3 victory over Great Falls High to split Tuesday's Eastern AA doubleheader.
The turnaround was dramatic. Flathead (6-12) wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to an RBI double from Olivia Nyman. From there, the bats kept swinging — and connecting. Lily Anderson delivered the biggest blows, smashing a two-run double in the second to make it 7-0, then launching a three-run homer in the fourth to push the lead to 10-0.
Nyman was the star of the show, collecting three extra-base hits on the day. She added a solo home run in the fifth to make it 11-2, then capped her performance with another RBI double during a seven-run seventh inning that sealed the rout. She crossed the plate four times, while June Stickney added three hits and scored three times. Leadoff hitter Tegan Strauss chipped in with two doubles and two RBIs.
In the circle, Macey McIlhargey went the distance, scattering seven hits and two walks while keeping the Bison offense in check. The Flathead defense backed her up with solid play throughout.
The first game told a different story. Flathead starter June Stickney pitched well, allowing seven hits and three earned runs over six innings while striking out five, but the Bravettes couldn't solve CMR's Ella Cron. The Rustler pitcher allowed just one hit over 4 2/3 innings, walking eight but striking out nine to keep Flathead off balance. The Bravettes finally broke through in the seventh on a two-out RBI single from Strauss, but it was too little, too late.
Flathead will look to build on the momentum from Game 2 when they travel to Missoula Hellgate on Thursday at 3 p.m. With the bats finally heating up, the Bravettes have reason to believe they're ready to make some noise in the Eastern AA.