Plains-Hot Springs wins seven straight
Trotter Sydney Jackson slides safely into second as she dodged a near out from Deer Lodge (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Sydney Jackson catches a fly ball into centre field to help get an out against Deer Lodge in the first game of the weekends double header (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Trotter Stacey Grey makes a dive across the front of second base to catch the line drive, successfully gaining the second out in the second inning for the Trotters (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Dakota Butcher steps in to pitch during the second game frm Saturdays double header with Kassidy Kinzie on first and Sage Jackson on third (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
When Plains Hot-Springs coach Michelle Bangen was asked how her team’s 8-1 record sounded to her, she didn’t have too much to say.
“It sounds awesome to say that,” an elated Bangen said of her team winning eight of its first nine games.
Then Bangen regained her focus on her team’s final six conference games, crucial games that could put them at opposite ends of the bracket in Divisionals of the defending Class B-C softball champion Florence, a team that dealt the Trotters its only loss of the season 17-1 in their season opener.
“We have to play Eureka, Troy, Mission-Arlee-Charlo twice and Loyola next,” Bangen said. “I think our girls are focused and we will not overlook anyone on our remaining schedule because you get beat when that happens.”
Bangen’s Trotters have now won seven consecutive games after upending Anaconda 7-5, Manhattan Christian 14-2, Deer Lodge 6-4 and 8-4 in Saturday’s doubleheader.
Bangen said she felt her team’s momentum and confidence is continuing to build as they focus on the second half of the season’s schedule, prior to getting ready for Divisionals. Last year, the Trotters finished two runs away from qualifying for state with an 11-10 loss to Loyola in Divisionals, but this year they seem focused to try to qualify to the next level.
“I think our team had a lot of momentum this weekend and it was a challenging weekend,” Bangen said. “We didn’t have all of our girls in the game against Anaconda and we had to keep shuffling lineups around because of the District Music Festival. We proved to ourselves we could still win when we switch some things around.”
The Trotters have showcased the amount of depth the team has, especially in pitching this week. With Plains-Hot Springs star pitcher Jessica Thompson juggling spring sports between track and softball, the Trotters have had to rely on their other pitchers Dakota Butcher and Kassidy Kenzie, now returned from her torn ACL from the 2016-2017 basketball season. They are beginning to learn to adapt to various situations, according to Bangen.
“We are definitely growing together as a team,” Bangen said. “We have a basic team concept: family, trust, and unity. We are growing together as a family and that is where we want to be. Our team has faced diverse situations and we know that we can throw someone on our team and get it handled. Everyone (on the team knows) it’s OK to be hurt because they know someone behind them has their back.”
With three weeks left in the season, the Trotters are trying to take the “one game at a time” approach to try not to look ahead of any of their upcoming opponents.
“We just have to continue to put ourselves in position to give it our all and compete,” Bangen said. “There are about three weeks left in the season and (the progress we made this week) is huge. The girls are exhausted mentally and physically. We now have at least a glimpse of what it takes to be that state-champion team and our girls are pushing through because we are trying to get there.”
Bangen said her team’s intent continues to grow stronger as the Trotters begin their journey through the second half of the season’s schedule.
Plains-Hot Springs also has an extra boost in their batting order with the performance of sophomore player Makenzie Elliot.
“She’s been a designated hitter and has hit about 7-of-8 hits of pitches that are put into the strike zone,” Bangen said. “It’s unreal how she is hitting now and she has a lot of confidence going for her. Right now, we don’t have a weak part in our lineup and it’s been really nice.”
Bangen said she felt her team has a lot of drive and intent as they prepare to host Eureka in a doubleheader at noon Saturday at Plains High School.
“They have their focus, the intent is there and we have to continue to come to practice and work hard every day,” Bangen said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get 17 girls on the same page and get along, but when these girls step on the field they are a team and anything can happen throughout the day. It doesn’t matter to these girls when they step onto the softball field.”