After a tough first game, the Flathead Bravettes softball team found their rhythm in a big way on Saturday in Helena, rallying for a 5-2 victory over the Bengals to earn a split of their doubleheader.

The day started quietly for the Bravettes, who were shut out 4-0 by Helena Capital in the opener. But when they took the field against Helena in game two, the bats—and the energy—came alive.

Trailing 1-0 after a solo home run by Helena's Dakota Lieberg in the first inning, Flathead answered in the second with a thunderous three-run blast from Olivia Nyman. That swing not only put the Bravettes ahead but also gave pitchers Macey McIlhargey and June Stickney all the support they would need.

McIlhargey worked five solid innings, scattering six hits and a walk while striking out two. Stickney then came on in relief and was nearly untouchable, throwing two perfect innings and fanning four batters to lock down the win.

The Bravettes added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Makenna Korf walked, stole second, and came around to score on a pair of Helena errors. In the seventh, Tegan Strauss and Stickney singled, and a Reese Rosebeg grounder was misplayed, allowing Strauss to cross the plate.

Flathead improved to 5-11 on the season, while Helena fell to 6-11. The Bravettes will look to build on this momentum as they hit the road again Tuesday for a doubleheader against the Great Falls schools, starting at 2 p.m.

In the opener, the Bravettes struggled to solve Capital pitcher Calyse Hendrix, who held them to just four hits while striking out six. Stickney got the start in the circle and turned in a solid performance, allowing six hits and three earned runs over six innings with six strikeouts. Nyman led the offense with two hits, but the Bravettes couldn't string together enough scoring chances.

For a team that's shown flashes of power and resilience, Saturday's split was a reminder that when Flathead's bats heat up and the pitching holds strong, they can compete with anyone.