Griz show newfound fight in two-run loss

Thursday, February 5

San Diego, Calif.

5:30 PM (MT)

Montana

0-1

Saint Louis

1-0

Saint Louis

Montana

2/5/2026 11:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana faced Saint Louis, a 34-win team that made the NCAA tournament last year, as the Grizzlies opened their season at the La Jolla Invitational at UC San Diego on Thursday evening.

Montana fell behind 2-0 and 6-3 but pushed the Billikens to the final out, the game ending 11-9 with the Grizzlies having the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh.

"I loved the fight. We want to fight until they say ball game and we definitely did that," said second-year coach Stef Ewing. "We saw some jitters, but once we got comfortable, we were right in the game."

Abby Mallo hit her 44th career home run in the top of the first off Griz starter Kaiana Kong to give Saint Louis a lead it would never relinquish.

Montana answered with a run in the bottom of the first and left three runners on base, something that would hurt the Grizzlies throughout.

"We were 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base and lost by two," said Ewing.

"I love how many people are getting on base. We've got to have more quality at-bats in those situations and be able to put more runs across."

With Montana trailing 6-3 in the bottom of the fourth, JoJo Christiaens doubled to right-center to drive in two and bring the Grizzlies within a run.

It was still a 6-5 game in the top of the sixth when the Billikens scored five runs on four hits and a Montana error, putting Saint Louis up 11-5.

The Grizzlies weren't done. Christiaens hit another double, Kong had a two-run double to left and Mackenzie Bekofsky singled up the middle to drive in Kong and make it 11-8.

After freshman Audri Elias pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh in her collegiate debut, Montana continued to apply pressure in the bottom half of the inning.

Chloe Saxton led off with a pinch-hit double. Two batters later, Anna Cockhill had an RBI ground out to make it 11-9.

Grace Lopez came through with a two-out single down the left-field line, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. The game ended on a ground out.

Kong, in her Montana debut, pitched the first 3 1/3 innings. Cameryn Ortega struck out seven in 2 2/3 innings before Elias pitched the seventh.

"Cam had seven strikeouts. Audri looked great in her first outing. A lot of really good things," said Ewing.

"We have a great opportunity tomorrow. We know if we play good, clean softball, we have a chance to win."

Montana will face Wagner at noon (MT) on Friday, then get another shot at Saint Louis at 2:30 p.m. (MT).

Grizzlies fall to Ospreys, Lopes as Purple Classic concludes

Sunday, February 22

Bats stay quiet, Griz fall 4-0

Saturday, February 21

Griz drop two games in Phoenix

Friday, February 20

Griz to be challenged at Purple Classic

Thursday, February 19

Next Event

Wagner

W, 2-1

Feb 6 (Fri)

Noon (MT)

Box Score Recap Preview

Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Royle, Isabel (1-0)

L: Kong, Kaiana (0-1)

S: Christ, Anna (1)

Saint Louis

Batting:

2B: Proffitt, Kate 1 ; Jany, Karsen 1 ; Boente, Sophia 1 ; Stephens, Bella 1

HR: Mallo, Abby 1

RBI: Ulsas, Abby 1 ; Mallo, Abby 2 ; Proffitt, Kate 3 ; Jany, Karsen 1 ; Boente, Sophia 2 ; Stephens, Bella 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Ulsas, Abby 3 ; Mallo, Abby 2 ; Branstetter, Allie 1 ; Proffitt, Kate 1 ; Duttlinger, Addie 1 ; Jany, Karsen 1 ; Boente, Sophia 1 ; Stephens, Bella 1