Junior class will lead Lady Pirates this year

Most of their all-state talent graduated last year, but the Polson Lady Pirates have a host of juniors and freshmen to fall back on this year that should fill the void nicely.

Softball coaches around the league are breathing a sigh of relief knowing they won't have to face Tami Bonkowski, Keely Torgison, Strohm Fouty and Jenni Nesladek this year, but somehow, the Polson pipeline keeps churning out talent.

Almost the entire starting line-up this year will be juniors, most of whom got great playing experience together last year and over the summer in the ASA league, and the team will be bolstered by a good crop of freshman, too.

Frosh Sarah Newton is expected to see a lot of time on the mound, behind ace Dylen Zetterberg. Newton and fellow freshman Amanda James should see some good playing time, and will be joined by fellow frosh Dakota Peterson and Rochelle Woods, head coach Larry Smith said.

"Sarah's got a good bat. She can do pitching and hitting. Amanda is basically an infielder but she can play anywhere. She's got a strong arm and very good bat," Smith said.

Peterson and pitcher Lela Clairmont-Perez will back up the two starting pitchers, and Woods is a great utility player, Smith said.

But the team will rely mostly on this year's junior class, most of whom got great experience last year, too.

Lindsey Rafter will be back at first base, Jaelin Vandeberg will return at third, Kyla McDonald will move from second to shortstop, and Kendra Woldstad will play second, where she got some good playing time in last year during the ASA summer league.

NaTesha Arlint will fill Torgison's shoes in the outfield, while Nicole Brasher will fill Bonkowski's.

"Nicole's got the quick feet and strong arm. She will do well out there. NaTesha is probably one of the hardest workers out there. She's a very solid outfielder. Her slap hitting is getting to be very good, too," Smith said.

Brittany Jones will take over Nesladek's position behind the plate, and has really made great progress since expressing an interest in the catcher's role last year — probably the hardest position on the field.

"She kind of burst onto the scene and really came on strong as a catcher. She learned a lot from Jenni, and did a great job last summer [during the ASA season]," Smith said.

The girls open the season next Friday (the 31st) in Havre before traveling to Browning on April 1. They will have their first five games on the road before hosting Libby on April 13 for the home opener.

The number of home games flip-flops each season, with last season being stacked at the softball complex while this season will only see five varsity home games out of 17 (including tournaments). Unlike other schools, Polson will continue its JV-first, varsity-second format for games.

"Havre will be a lot better team than last year. They have a pitcher that has worked really hard. They will be solid this year," Smith said.