MISSOULA, Mont. – The Carroll Softball team fell 9-7 to the Montana Grizzlies in a highly competitive exhibition game in Missoula on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Carroll started the game out with a bang in the top of the first inning when Kaitlynn Ayers stepped into the box and smoked a two-run home run, that scored Jessica Nimmo, on the first pitch she saw.
 
The Grizzlies clawed back in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run jack of their own to tie the game up at two apiece. Then in the bottom of the third, they hit a three-run shot to take a 5-2 lead over the Saints.
 
Alyssa Lybbert singled in a run in the top of the fourth for Carroll before Emma Hamilton hit a three-run home run to put the Saints back in the driver's seat.
An RBI single off the bat of Amber Brewer scored Kirsten Norris in the top of the fifth and the Saints led 7-5.
 
A trio of homers in the final stretch of the ballgame gave the Grizzlies a 9-7 lead that they were able to hold onto, getting the win in exciting fashion.
 
All that is left now for the Saints on the schedule this season is a double-header against Providence on April 26 and a weekend series with Eastern Oregon on April 29 and 30. All of those games will be at Centennial Park.