Sometimes in baseball, it’s not how you start, but how you respond. The Columbia Falls Wildcats proved that Tuesday night, shaking off an early two-run deficit to explode for a decisive 15-4 victory over Northwest A rival Bigfork.

The Vikings struck first, using a leadoff walk and timely hitting to grab a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first. But the Wildcats' answer was immediate and emphatic. In the bottom of the inning, Tristan Victor lined a clutch two-run single to tie the game, and Jaxson Cadwell followed with an RBI hit to put Columbia Falls ahead for good.

The floodgates truly opened in the second inning. The Wildcats' lineup came alive, stringing together quality at-bats and capitalizing on opportunities to plate seven runs. The inning featured key hits from Jory Hill and Nico Young, a two-run double from starting pitcher Jett Pitts, and was capped by a two-run double from Wyatt Dodson, stretching the lead to 10-2.

"I just had a good time out there and played ball," said Pitts, who also starred on the mound. "We’re like a family. Baseball is a sport that is 90 percent mental, and we knew that today."

Bigfork managed to scratch across two more runs in the third, but Columbia Falls continued its offensive onslaught, adding two more in their half of the inning and three in the fourth to invoke the mercy rule and secure the 15-4 win.

The Wildcats' offense was a collective effort, led by Tristan Victor and Jaxson Cadwell, who each drove in three runs. Jett Pitts was the catalyst, earning the win with eight strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings while also contributing two hits and two RBIs at the plate.

The victory showcased the team's resilience and growing chemistry. "Last year we had more seniors and leadership, but we have guys stepping up big in their roles—we’re excited," Hill noted after the game.

Both teams are back in action Thursday, with Columbia Falls traveling to Libby and Bigfork heading to Browning.