Slappers win state ASA 18U softball

The Daily Inter Lake

BOZEMAN - The Montana Slappers are 18U state champions in Montana ASA softball.

The Slappers rallied from a three-run deficit to defeat the Missoula Osprey 8-7 in Sunday's championship game.

Danielle Axe of Missoula led of the fourth inning with a solo homer. She was followed to the plate by Flathead's Kendra Bennett, who beat out an infield single. Charlee Jensen of Polson followed with another single, and then Libby's Brooke Hageness hit a 3-run homer to put the Slappers up 4-3.

Hageness relieved Axe in the circle in the fourth inning.

With the Slappers leading 8-7 in the seventh, the Osprey loaded the bases with two outs - Hageness got the final strikeout to win the game.

Bennett finished the day 1-for-3, Kayla Stinger of

Columbia Falls was 1-for-3, Jensen was 1-for-3 and Hageness was 1-for-4 with three RBIs.

In earlier games, the Slappers defeated the Great Falls Select 8-7 on Friday and the Osprey 2-1.

Stinger scored the winning run in the first game against the Osprey. She scored on a wild pitch by Osprey's D.J. Johnson of Hellgate. That victory put the Slappers into the championship game.

The Osprey came back through the loser's bracket to earn their championship game berth.

The Slappers are coached by Jim Axe and Jeremy Hageness.

As for the Glacier Emeralds teams, the 14U squad lost out to Billings on Sunday and the 16UI Emeralds lost out Saturday night to Belgrade. The 16U II team also lost out Saturday night to the Whitefish Monsters.

Coach Jim Sverdrup reported that leadoff batter Karlee Stacy led the team at the plate, going 3-for-4 and Christy Price had three RBIs.

"She was doing everything she needed to do as a leadoff. We were quite proud of her," Sverdrup said.