Lady Pirates breeze through twin doubleheaders
By Trent Makela / Leader Staff
Polson's softball team posted some cartoon-level offensive stats in a pair of Central A doubleheaders this past weekend.
Polson (5-0) outscored Havre 22-1 in their road doubleheader last Friday. Things really got silly on Saturday, though, when Polson traveled to Browning and topped an explosive 29-0 victory in the first game with a 41-1 offensive extravaganza in the second game.
"It's tough to talk about those Browning games. We actually played everybody and I let all of the freshmen start and play the whole second game," Polson head coach Larry Smith said. "I was very impressed by the freshmen — they did everything very well. Those games also gave us an opportunity to pitch a lot of kids that wouldn't normally be able to pitch."
Polson started the first Browning game with backup Rochelle Woods on the mound and Smith came away with some renewed confidence in his team's pitching depth.
"We're working hard at using her as our support and backup pitcher and I was really impressed," Smith said. "She's a lot better than she gives herself credit for."
Smith credited his defense, which committed just three total errors in Havre, for picking up the weekend's two most competitive wins.
"The girls were moving really quick and playing great," Smith said. "Don't get me wrong, Havre was putting the bat on the ball. Our defense was just able to make some nice plays to keep them from making the hit."
Polson will return to a loaded schedule this week, traveling to Columbia Falls on Thursday before playing both Hamilton and Corvallis on the road Saturday.
"The enthusiasm we have continued to show gives me confidence heading into this week. The girls know they have a tougher time looking ahead at Columbia Falls, especially, and then Corvallis," Smith said. "Columbia Falls surprised me a little bit when they handled Whitefish pretty easily. I expect them to be right in the mix with us and Libby to win the conference. Corvallis also has the top pitcher in the state at any level in Kasie Condor. She's a girl who can really throw hard, but has good combinations along with a drop ball and a riser. She's got it all."
First game
Polson 0 0 0 0 3 1 4 - 8
Havre 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0
W - Peterson (2-0). L - Stremcha.
POLSON - Staci Benson 1-2, Liz Simshaw 1-2, Maggie Gordon 2-4, Sarah Newton 2-4, Amanda James 1-4, Vassar 2-4, Woods 1-4, Charlee Jensen 4-4, Peterson 3-4, Susan Perez-Tenas 1-3.
HAVRE - Holly Cartwright 0-3, Tabby Myers 0-3, Sam Mack 2-3, Stremcha 0-3, Danika Patterson 0-3, Kelly Kellsey 1-3, Natalie Kato 0-3, Tiffany Ranes 0-2, Obrecht.
2B - James, Jensen, Woods. RBIs - Gordon, James, Vassar 2, Woods, Petersen.
Second game
Polson 2 7 4 1 0 - 14 19
Havre 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 2
W - Peterson (3-0). L - Ita.
POLSON - Perez-Tenas 3-4, Gordon 3-4, Newton 3-4, James 2-4, Vassar 1-3, Duford 0-1, Woods 3-4, Jensen 2-4, Peterson 0-2, Simshaw 2-3.
HAVRE - Cartwright 0-3, Karly Evans 1-3, Mack 0-3, Stremcha 1-2, Patterson 0-2, Kato 0-2, Ita 0-2, Tabitha Beck 0-2, Myers 0-2.
First game
Polson 6 12 1 3 7 - 29 20
Browning 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2
W - Woods (1-0). L - Hodgson.
POLSON - Susan Perez-Tenas 2-3, Maggie Gordon 2-3, Sarah Newton 2-6, Amanda James 3-5, Caitlyn Vasser 2-2, Charlee Jensen 1-4, Woods 1-4, Dakota Peterson 1-3, Liz Simshaw 4-5, Kodi Woods 1-3, Sallie Sams 1-2.
BROWNING - Ashlynn Fish 1-1, Milynn Lazy Boy 1-2.
Second game
Polson 0 6 20 12 3 - 41 24
Browning 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 2
W - Peterson. L - Fish.
POLSON - Kodi Woods 2-3, McKenzine Fortin 2-5, Kayla Duford 2-7, Sallie Sams 4-7, Liz Simshaw 1-3, Amanda James 2-4, Dakota Peterson 4-4, Caitlyn Vasser 1-2, Maggie Gordon 2-5, Susan Perez-Tenas 2-3.
BROWNING - Katie Lahr 1-2, Milynn Lazy Boy 1-2.