CMR softball consolation run ends at state tournament

HELENA – The C.M. Russell High softball team made a good run, but fell just short of the trophy round at the Class AA tournament this weekend.

The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Belgrade but Thursday’s opening games were postponed due to snow and the games were moved to Helena, according to 406 MT Sports.

The Rustlers fell to Helena High 12-5 in the opening round on Friday but rebounded later in the day for a 13-6 triumph over Missoula Sentinel.

Sophomore Ruby Dean went 4 for 5 at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while Rilee Mares knocked in four runs – including a home run – and senior Julia Bushard added three hits.

CMR knocked off Belgrade 2-1 Saturday morning as Myli Adams hurled a complete game with four strikeouts and just the one earned run on six hits. The Rustlers scored both of their runs in the first inning as they loaded the bases on a walk and two hit batsmen before Bushard and Adams scored on a Belgrade error and fielder’s choice, respectively.

Adams picked up a victory in another 2-1 victory against Billings Senior, giving up just four hits, while Dean knocked in a run in the first inning and Bushard drew a walk with the bases loaded in the second.

The Rustlers ultimately fell 12-2 to defending state champion Kalispell Glacier in their third game of the day, just one round shy of the third-fourth place game.

CMR of head coach Alex Hurley are in line to return a majority of its lineup next season, with Bushard being the lone senior.