Friday’s Hot Ticket

Prep Softball
Butte High at Billings West, (dh), 3 p.m.
This time it counts. Butte High’s softball team hits the road today to open the Eastern AA schedule in a doubleheader against Billings West. The first game counts in conference standings, while the second game is non-conference. The Bulldogs (3-1) play two against Billings Skyview at noon on Saturday, and both are conference games. The last time out, Butte High pounded 22 hits and rolled past Helena High and Helena Capital 10-0 and 7-0 Saturday in Helena. Katey Walsh homered and doubled in a five-hit day to lead the Bulldog offense. Ashten McCloskey and Mariah Michelotti each smacked four hits, and Hattie Thatcher and Kendall Alley belted three. Pitchers Jessica Robertson (2-1) and Bobbie Osterman (1-0) picked up wins. West is coming off last year’s third-place finish at the Class AA State tournament.