SPORTS

Wednesday’s regional sports briefs

Crippen, Bryson lead women’s tourneys

HELENA – Maggie Crippen won the Women’s State Amateur golf tournament the last time it was held in Helena, and it looks like the young Missoula standout might do repeat that feat in the Capital City.

Crippen, who plays for the University of Montana golf program, fired a 1-under-par 72 Wednesday at Green Meadow Country Club to finish 36 holes at the State Amateur with a 146 total. That’s seven strokes in front of defending champion Dorsey Addicks of Big Sky, who shot a fine 73 in the second round.

Teigan Avery of Kalispell is third at 154, followed by Bailee Dexter and Jackie Mee at 145.

The 99th annual event closes Thursday at Green Meadow.

In the Senior Amateur division, hometown hero Mary Bryson has the lead at 162 after an 82 in the second round. She’s four strokes in front of Jo Smith of Missoula and Julie Embleton of Hamilton.

Former champ Sue Matson of Laurel is still in contention at 167, followed by Marilyn Aberle of Helena at 168.

Libby’s Johnston second in Mexico

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Ryggs Johnston of Libby is in second place at the prestigious Junior America’s Cup golf tournament after 36 holes.

The two-time Montana State Junior champion shot a 69 Tuesday and a 71 Wednesday to finish two rounds at 140, 4 under par and only three strokes behind leader Ryan Maine of Washington.

Another Montana star, Joey Moore of Billings, is tied for 27th place at 146 after identical rounds of 73.

Team Montana is in 17th place out of 18 teams from around the West. Caleb Trost of Billings (84-84) and Joe Potkonjak of Bigfork (92-77) are the other Montana players.

The 54-hole event concludes Thursday.

Achenbach receives All-American honors

Conrad-Choteau righthander Tristan Achenbach, who will be firing fastballs for C.M. Russell next Spring, was recently named to the Max Preps Small Schools All-American Softball team.

Achenbach, who has committed to the University of Montana, was 23-0 with an 0.19 ERA, both state records for wins and ERA, in leading the Cowgirls to a 25-3 record and their second consecutive State Class B-C crown.

The senior-to-be fanned 338 batters in 151 innings of work, firing a dozen no-hitters and four perfect games, including three no-nos at state, including a perfecto in the championship game. She gave up 24 hits and walked just eight batters.

At the plate, Achenbach batted .607 with 16 doubles, 35 RBI and scored 34 times.

Voyagers wrap up first half with win

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Casey Schroeder and Jake Jarvis combined for five hits and four runs batted in Wednesday night as the Great Falls Voyagers wrapped up the first half of the Pioneer League season with a 6-3 win over the Grand Junction Rockies at Suplizio Field.

The Voyagers finish the first half 21-17, 11/2 games behind Northern Division winner Billings, who was still playing in Orem when this issue of the Tribune went to press.

The Voyagers scored five times in the top of the third inning, all started when Frank Califano reached on an three-base error and scored on a wild pitch, but the floodgates opened with two out. Schroeder’s single would bring home two runs, and Jarvis added a double that scored two more. They added a single run in the ninth.

Aron McRee struck out seven batters in seven innings to collect his fourth win in as many decisions.

The Voyagers are idle Thursday and will face the Mustangs to begin the second half Friday night at Dehler Park in Billings.