Lady Pirates State-bound once again
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Polson softball coach Larry Smith breathed a sigh of relief Friday after his Lady Pirates secured a bid to the State A tournament starting Thursday in Anaconda.
The two-time defending state champions have been on top of their division every year for more than a decade, but this season took a different turn.
“We haven’t had to worry about (qualifying for State) in a long time,” Smith said.
Some extra challenges came Polson’s way this year when Frenchtown moved into Southwestern A, intensifying the Lady Broncs’ rivalry with the Northwestern A Lady Pirates. Columbia Falls also fielded a challenging squad this year, Smith noted.
But things are looking up, and although Smith says four of the five best teams in the state are in Polson’s bracket for State, he’s confident his team can hang with the leaders.
“We’re playing our best ball right now,” he said. “We’ve done nothing but get better in the past few weeks.”
On Thursday, Columbia Falls, Libby and Polson all had 3-3 conference records, with two games left to play. That evening, Polson scorched Whitefish in a 30-0 victory, and Columbia Falls beat Libby, moving the Lady Pirates and the Wildkats up a notch.
Still, Polson needed one more win to ensure a trip to State.
On Friday, the Lady Pirates got what they needed with a 6-3 win over Libby.
Junior pitcher Shalaina Duford allowed six hits against the Lady Loggers and improved to 17-4 in the circle. She was backed up by Heidi Rausch, who went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple. Martina Marquardt and Jaylin Kenney added two singles each.
Against Whitefish at home Thursday, Polson racked up 16 hits in four and a half innings, ending the game early thanks to the 10-run margin rule.
Duford threw a two-hitter and went 3 for 6 with a double and two RBIs.
Riley Kenney had three singles and as many RBIs, with Jaylin Kenney and Jessica Bagnell adding two hits each.
Polson faces off against Anaconda at noon Thursday.
“We’re gonna have to come out swinging,” Smith said.
SUMMARY
Polson 6, Libby 3
Polson 010 401 0 – 6 7 1
Libby 001 100 1 – 3 6 0
Shalaina Duford and Jaylin Kenney; Hannah England and Lexie Hageness. W – Duford (17-4). L – England.
POLSON – Ashley Johnson 0-4, Riley Kennedy 0-4, Duford 0-3, Martina Marquardt 2-4, Heidi Rausch 2-3, J. Kenney 2-3, Jessuca Bignell 0-3, Makaliah Wilson 1-2, Colleen Jacobson 0-2, Sarah Rausch 0-1.
2B – H. Rausch. 3B – H. Rausch; RBIs – unavailable.
Polson 30, Whitefish 0
Whitefish 000 00 – 0 2 4
Polson 8(11)3 8x – 30 16 0
Baylee Tveidt and Peyton Twete. Shalaina Duford and Jaylin Kenney. W – Duford (16-4). L – Tveidt.
POLSON – Ashley Johnson 3-5, Riley Kenney 3-3, Duford 3-6, Heidi Rausch 1-1, Makaliah Wilson 1-2, J. Kenney 2-3, Jessica Bagnell 2-3, Colleen Jacobson 0-2, Jaelyn Ellenwood 0-2, Skyla Krantz 1-1, Sarah Rausch 0-0, Jaiden Toth 0-0, Selah Woldron 0-1.
2B – Duford. RBIs – R. Kenney 3, Duford 2, H. Rausch 2, Wilson 2, J. Kenney 2, Bagnell 2, Jacobson 2, Krantz, Toth.
