BILLINGS — Billings Central will be playing for its first softball state championship since the Rams repeated in 1994 and 1995.
The undefeated Rams (25-0) earned the right by toppling last year’s state champion Columbia Falls 7-2 in the State A softball tournament undefeated semifinal at Stewart Park on Saturday.
The Rams were the state runner-up last year, falling to the Wildkats 8-2. The Wildkats are set to play Polson in the third-place game later Saturday afternoon. The winner will advance to play the Rams Saturday night.
Polson defeated Laurel 17-6 in the loser-takes-fourth game to advance to the third-place game.
Glendive 14, Lockwood 13 (loser-out)
Glendive moved on to play Laurel by winning a slugfest. Glendive scored five runs in the top of the seventh and Lockwood had four in the bottom half of the last inning.
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Glendive (9-18) totaled 24 hits and Lockwood 19. Neither team committed an error.
Leadoff bater Ashley Eaton was 4 for 4 with three runs and three RBIs for Glendive. Jaelin Jimison was 5 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs for the winners. Meridith Sackman was 3 for 5 with five RBIs.
Emily Baenziger was 3 for 5 for Lockwood (8-13-1) with three runs and an RBI. Marley Chiasson batted 3 for 4 for the Lions with three runs and two RBIs. Kianna White was 3 for 5 with three RBIs.
Frenchtown 13, Lewistown 7 (loser-out)
Frenchtown (20-8) scored five runs in the second and eight in the fourth to bust the game open. Lewistown totaled two runs in the first, one in the second, three in the third, and one in the seventh.
Both teams had three errors. Lewistown totaled six hits and Frenchtown 13.
Brooklyn Smith was 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs for the Broncs. Bailey Hansen was 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs, and Aspen Courtney 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs.
Avery King pitched the final five innings for Frenchtown and struck out seven.
For the Golden Eagles (17-12), Jaden Martin was 2 for 2 with two runs and an RBI. Kylie Moline was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Polson 7, Frenchtown 3 (loser-out)
Behind four first-inning runs, Polson (20-7) advanced.
Both teams tallied nine hits and neither team committed an error.
Avery Starr pitched the first 6.2 innings for Polson and struck out six. Starr also shined offensively with two home runs, batting 2 for 3 with two runs and four RBIs.
Mckenna Hanson was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI from the leadoff spot for Polson.
Frenchtown (20-9) was led by Saige Williams, Ryan Lucier, and Bailey Hansen with two hits. Hansen doubled twice.
Polson advances to play Laurel (22-7) in a loser-out game at 1 p.m.
Laurel 10, Glendive 0 (loser-out)
The Locomotives (22-7) strung together three runs in the first, two in the fourth, two in the fifth, and three in the sixth to end the game after six frames.
Laurel totaled 15 hits, compared to three for Glendive (9-19). Neither team had an error.
Krista Gauslow finished 3 for 4, including two doubles, with a run and four RBIs for the Locomotives. Leadoff batter Emerson Gunther was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Gunther doubled and tripled.
Brynn Notbohm had a double and was 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI for Laurel.
Adrienne Roth pitched the first five innings for Laurel and allowed two hits and fanned four.
Polson 17, Laurel 6 (loser-takes-fourth)
Polson scored six runs in the top of the fifth en route to a victory over Laurel.
With the win, Polson advanced to the third-place game.
Laurel (22-8) was hurt by eight errors.
