Lady Hawks land two on All-State roster
Thompson Falls junior catcher Sarah Koskela catches an incoming pitch during a playoff game versus Three Forks earlier this year. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Successful seasons are generally the product of teams playing as one unit. Everyone on the same page.
It helps if there are some standout players in the mix, as was the case with this year’s Thompson Falls-Noxon Lady Hawks who made it to their second straight Montana state B-C championship tournament.
In the wake of a 19-10 season, including a trip to the state finals in Billings, the Lady Hawks landed two players, both juniors, on the B-C All-State softball team.
Sarah Koskela, who led the team in several offensive categories and was part of a one-two pitching punch for the Hawks, was selected to the team, as was fellow Lady Hawks pitcher and clutch hitter Olivia Fitchett. Both players, who will be back next season for their senior years, were instrumental in the team’s successful season.
It was the second straight appearance in the state tournament for the Lady Hawks.
Joining the T Falls standouts on the first team from the Northwest BC conference were a pair of players from Mission-Arlee-Charlo (MAC); hard-throwing pitcher and power hitter Izabell Evans, a senior, and freshman G.G. Hawk, also from MAC. Eureka’s Maura Miles, a senior, was also named to the All-State team.
Those five, along with junior Leslie Gravier (Troy) and MAC sophomore Alecia Steele were also chosen to the All-Conference first team squad.
Plains-Hot Springs senior infielder Jaelyn Carr was named to the Conference’s second team, which also included T Falls senior Olivia Harnett and sophomore first baseman Gabi Hannum.