Pirates down Libby, get ready for state

POLSON — The Lady Pirates already had the conference title, but they beat Libby 10-5 at home for senior night just the same on Friday.

Libby was no pushover. It took big Polson bats, solid pitching and even better defense to get the job done.

And a 2-run homer by Polson senior Sarah Newton didn’t hurt either, giving Polson the go-ahead in the first inning.

“What a way to go out,” Polson head coach Larry Smith said. “She’s been carrying a heavy load for us on offense all year.”

That load weighs 32 RBIs, enough to lead a team with more than one big hitter.

“For just 21 games, that’s very good,” Smith said.

Newton went 4-4 and had three RBIs in the game and Sallie Sams batted in three runs as well.

In the fourth inning, Polson got into a little trouble, when Libby scored a run, and loaded the bases.

The Loggers seemed poised to do more damage and Smith replaced senior Dakota Peterson with senior Charlee Jenson at the mound.

Jenson finished the game and got the save, but short stop Staci Benson saved the inning.

Libby’s big bat, Nicky Lapka was up and she drilled a drive between second and third.

Benson lunged for it - any slower and it would have been a base hit - and turned the double play to boot.

“That was the big play that stopped a potential rally,” Smith said. “That could have been a 3 or 4-run inning and changed the outcome of the game.”

Smith added that Benson had three outstanding catches in the game, something that has become routine.

“She’s very quick to get to the ball. She’s been a very strong and consistent defensive and offensive player,” he said.

Jenson gave up two runs in the seventh to finish the game with her third save of the year.

The win set the tone for  the state tournament which Polson hosts beginning today.

“It’s the way to go in on. You don’t want to go in on a loss and we’ve been on a nice streak. And it was nice for the seniors to get a win,” Smith said.

Sams and Jenson each doubled in the game and Jenson had a pair of RBIs. Another senior, Rochelle Woods, added an RBI and freshman Riley Kenney added one more.

Now it’s state tournament time. Polson is the No. 1 seed in its bracket and will play the winner of Havre and Frenchtown after a bye. Both potential foes are No. 3 seeds out of their conferences.

The other three teams in the bracket are Ronan, Belgrade and Libby.

“That’s six very, very good teams,” Smith said.

Even the first game will be a test come tournament time, Smith said.

“It’s not an easy one for us right off the get go,” he said. “But that’s fine. We do better against the best teams anyway.”

Polson has won state many times before, in many ways. In 2001, 2002 and 2007 they played eight or nine games after losing early to sneak in the back door for championships.

At state in Whitefish in 2004, they did it in four straight games.

Whatever it takes, Smith said he is confident in his team.

“I don’t think anyone has the defense that we have overall,” he said, adding that his team bats aggressively up and down the lineup.

“If they can all start hitting at the same time they’re almost unbeatable,” he said.

Polson plays its first game at 3 p.m. today.