Ten Lady Pirates make all-conference, all-state teams

A total of 10 Polson Lady Pirates got all-conference nods from coaches around the league, more than any other team in the Western A conference, reflecting the team's hard work this year at the plate and in the field.

Pitchers Dylen Zetterberg and Sarah Newton were named to the first and second teams, respectively, and Zetterberg picked up all-state honors for her work on the mound this year, too.

Head coach Larry Smith said Zetterberg's record was one of the best in the league, but unlike a lot of other pitchers, she contributed at the plate, too.

"She had a better batting average and base-running ability," Smith noted. "You look statewide and she's one of the better pitchers as far as hitting and on-base percentage."

Zetterberg was the team's workhorse, too, logging more than 85 percent of the innings, while frosh Newton often came in in relief — a big role, especially for a freshman.

"Right away Sarah developed maturity on the mound, and became very composed," Smith said. "Like I tell her, it's control — mental and physical control when you step on the mound, and she really improved on that. The control on her pitches was her biggest improvement."

Catcher Brittany Jones got first-team all conference, and all-state honors, filling the shoes left by Jenni Nesladek last year.

"Hands down, the best catcher in the conference. She's my coach on the field, watching what the batters are doing," Smith said. "She's a workhorse, and puts in a lot of extra time. She works very hard. She got beat up a lot, too, finishing the season with a broken finger."

First basemen usually don't get the credit they deserve either, but Lindsey Rafter got first-team honors, and an all-state nod, too, for her work in the field and at the plate. Smith said she didn't commit a single error during the regular season — unusual with dozens of thrown balls coming from all sides of the field every game.

"Lindsey was definitely selected for her bat, but she went errorless through the regular season, and that's tough to do," Smith said. "She was also the best improved hitter over this year. She put in the time to get better at the plate."

Kendra Woldstad got second-team all conference honors, and probably missed first-team only because of Libby senior Sam Schultz, who coincidentally also played second base, Smith noted.

"Kendra just quietly does her job. She's smart, with lots of playing experience. She worked hard, putting in the extra time to improve herself," Smith said. "She just flat out wants to be good. Her bat has really come on this year, too."

One of the strongest hitters in the league, Jaelin Vandeberg was named second team all conference and made the all-tournament team at state — the only Lady Pirate to do so — and she led the team in home runs, too.

"Jaelin hit very well, and was the only one to make the all tourney team, and deservedly so," Smith said. "She did a great job for us at state."

Kyla McDonald got first team all-conference honors at shortstop — a position she moved in to this year to fill the void left by Strohm Fouty. Smith said McDonald had the speed to cover the hardest position to field, and that she did a great job.

"She naturally fit in at second base a lot better, but the move [to short] was made because of her quickness and experience. She has great range, and she can cover a lot of ground," he said.

Frosh Amanda James was also one of the best sluggers in the conference, hitting a couple of dingers herself. She and junior NaTesha Arlint were both named first-team all conference as outfielders, and Smith characterized Arlint as one of the hardest working players he's ever had.

Nicole Brasher was named to the second team all-conference, and Smith said she had probably the biggest shoes to fill after Tami Bonkowski graduated last year.

"I think Nicole liked playing center field a lot. She enjoyed making the tough catches and throwing the runners out. There's another gal with a very strong arm," Smith said. "She made some great catches out there."

He said James' arm was her best feature, also gunning down runners as well as being a solid hitter.

"Amanda has a gun for an arm, and definitely a strong bat. When she does hit it she hits it hard," Smith said, noting her speed on the base paths, too.

Smith said Arlint's soft-spoken manner belies the energy she brings to improving her game.

"I was really hoping NaTesha would have made the all-state team. She deserved it, but that's the way it goes. This is a gal that has had to earn every little bit of respect. She hustles all the time," Smith said. "Nobody works harder than her. She can be sick but she's always going to hustle. Always."