EAST HELENA — Things are really starting to come together from the Butte Central softball team.
The Maroons pounded 12 hits Tuesday, and BC picked up its third win in four games. This time it was a 14-6 beating of the East Helena Vigilantes.
Sophomore leadoff hitter Brooke Badovinac had herself a week to lead the Maroons in the non-conference game. She went 4 for 5 with six RBIs as Central scored in double digits for the third time.
Badovinac’s day included an RBI single, a two-run double and a three-run triple.
Brenna Foley, hitting in the No. 2 hole, hit a double and a single and drove in two runs. Maddi Kump and Mia Keeley made a solid battery for the Maroons. They both also poked a pair of hits. Sofee Thatcher, Maggie Stimatz and Renee Creekmore each added one. Stimatz drove in two runs.
The Maroons got contributions from every batter in the lineup, with all nine batters reaching base at least once. Kathryn Lalicker worked two walks, while Jaeden Berger drew one.
“It’s coming,” BC coach Bill “Chunky” Thatcher said. “They’re getting disciplined at the plate. They’re finding the strike zone, and if it’s not there they take the walks. That’s what I want.”
Kump struck out seven batters and scattered seven hits for the win. Six of the seven hits were singles.
The Maroons will look to stay hot when they play four games Friday and Saturday at Frenchtown’s tournament. They play Libby and Frenchtown on Friday before closing the tournament against Browning and Ronan on Saturday.
Central was again without senior Maci Reopelle, who took a wicket shot off her knee while pitching last week. Thatcher said he hopes Reopelle can play some in Frenchtown.
Butte Central 134 420 0 — 14 12 1
East Helena 202 020 0 — 6 7 2
Maddi Kump and Mia Keeley; Surginer and n/a. W — Kump. L — Surginer.
BUTTE CENTRAL (3-4) — Brooke Badovinac 4-5, Brenna Foley 2-5, Sofee Thatcher 1-5, Kump 2-4, Keeley 2-3, Maggie Stimatz 0-1, Jaeden Berger 0-3, Renee Creekmore 1-3, Kathryn Lalicker 0-2.
EAST HELENA — Lindsey 1-3, Fashenten 2-4, Surginer 1-1, Pickett 2-4, Gable 0-4, Subreperd 0-3, Smith 0-3, Sargent 1-2, Petersen 0-3.
3B — Badovinac. 2B — Foley; Surginer. RBIs — Badovinac 6, Foley 2, Stimatz 2, Keeley. Note: RBIs for East Helena not available.
