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SPORTS
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Glacier senior Ali Williams, in white, celebrates with teammates after defeating Flathead in the rst
game of a doubleheader at Kalispell’s Kidsports Complex on May 12.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
ITH THE WIND HOWLING IN her face, Ali Williams howled back, ring 60-mile-per-hour
fastballs that stumped almost each and every batter. In a matter of two softball games totaling 10 innings last week, her dominance transcended the elements, even a brief hailstorm, as Glacier’s senior ace notched 24 strikeouts, including nine in a row at one point. As if that wasn’t enough, she punctuated her nal regu- lar-season home game with a blast that sounded more like a rework than a hit as it sailed an estimated 380 feet. Not bad for her 40th career homer.
One of the all-time great softball play- ers from Montana is going out with a bang alongside a talented team of tight-knit players eager to defend their Class AA championship.
Williams and the Wolfpack (16-5 over- all, 10-2 in conference) are rolling into the postseason, winners of nine straight and the No. 2 seed from Western AA. The team will host a playo game at Kid- sports Complex on Thursday, May 19, in a best-of-three series starting at noon. Gla- cier could play Missoula Hellgate (3-17, 2-9) or Flathead (6-14, 2-10) depending on the results of Hellgate’s game May 16 after the Beacon went to print. If Hell- gate lost to Missoula Big Sky (18-2, 10-1), then Glacier hosts the Knights. If Hell- gate won, then we have another cross- town game between Kalispell’s clubs. If Glacier takes on Hellgate, then Flathead will travel to Helena Capital (11-9, 8-4) this week.
The winners of the playo games advance to the Class AA state tourna- ment in Kalispell, May 26-28 at Conrad Complex.
Glacier head coach Andy Fors said he is eager to host a playo game instead of his team earning an automatic bye on the journey to defending last year’s championship.
After all, when momentum is red-hot, no sense slowing down.
Last week’s regular-season nale
against Flathead showed just how pow- erful the defending champs can be when they’re ring on all cylinders.
Behind Williams’ dominating perfor- mance, the Pack bats led the o ensive barrage as Glacier won 16-1 and 17-0 in the doubleheader. Eight di erent Glacier players hit homeruns.
“We’ve focused on trying to prepare for the postseason, trying to get momen- tum o ensively and boy they sure did that today,” Fors said.
This season Williams is leading the o ensive attack while performing mas- terfully in the circle. Her batting average is .444 with 10 homeruns, second most in the state. Her 18 RBI also leads Gla- cier, followed by Erin McHugh and Anna Schrade, who both have 12.
As a team, Glacier has the second most runs scored (131) behind rst-place Mis- soula Big Sky (151).
“Looking back on what the season has been like, there’s a ton of resiliency in this group,” Fors said. “We had some strug- gles early. We had some tough showings o ensively and we had some losses that we didn’t anticipate. For them to stick with it and be in the position we’re in now, they’ve showed a bunch of grit and a lot of heart. I’m proud of them and anx- ious for the next couple weeks.”
Glacier and Big Sky squared o in last year’s title game with the Pack claiming its rst championship in program his- tory, 6-3.
Similar to last year, Glacier boasts a well-rounded squad of athletes. But front and center stands Williams, who is nishing up her nal prep season with a remarkable level of success. On May 10, Williams notched her second perfect game of the year, striking out 20 batters with only 77 pitches in seven innings against Butte. Williams allowed only one ball into play, a ground-out in the fourth inning. The perfect game was her second this season and sixth no-hitter.
The Carroll College recruit now has 224 strikeouts in 117 innings this sea- son. The next closest pitcher has 108. Her ERA is a miniscule 0.48.
“It’s all just been pretty amazing,” said Williams, who spent the entire o season undergoing a rigorous workout regimen and practice schedule.
“I’m most proud of my team for every- body stepping up. It’s amazing knowing my teammates are here to back me up. It’s a great feeling. I think we’re de nitely going into the postseason on a high note.”
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
SOFTBALL STANDINGS
THROUGH MAY 16
WESTERN AA CONF. OVR.
Missoula Big Sky 10-1 18-2 Glacier 10-2 16-5 Helena Capital 8-4 11-7 Helena 6-6 9-9 Missoula Sentinel 3-9 7-12 Missoula Hellgate 2-9 3-17 Flathead 2-10 6-14
EASTERN AA
Great Falls CMR 10-1 18-2 Great Falls 8-3 14-6 Billings West 7-5 11-10 Billings Skyview 6-6 9-10 Billings Senior 5-7 9-10 Butte 5-7 7-14 Bozeman 0-12 1-20
NORTHWEST A
Frenchtown 4-0 13-4 Columbia Falls 2-2 13-7 Polson 2-2 12-6 White sh 0-4 5-12
WESTERN B-C - NORTH
Ronan 9-1 15-6 Plains/Hot Springs 8-2 13-5 Libby 7-3 15-7 Eureka 3-7 6-15 Troy 3-7 6-13 Thompson Falls 0-10 3-18
State AA & State B/C in Kalispell, May 26-28 State A in Belgrade, May 26-28
Glacier senior Ali Williams swings at a pitch as Glacier faces Flathead on May 12. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
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MAY 18, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM