Lady Pirates go for three

POLSON — The regular season has come and gone for the two time defending champion Polson Lady Pirates and while they enter the state tournament in Anaconda this weekend as the Northwestern A third seed, they appear just as dangerous to repeat their success.

In two games last week, the Lady Pirates took care of business, running their winning streak to nine. On Thursday, May 17, Polson was relentless, getting eight runs in the first and fourth innings and 11 in the second to decimate Whitefish 30-0 on Senior Day.

POLSON — The regular season has come and gone for the two time defending champion Polson Lady Pirates and while they enter the state tournament in Anaconda this weekend as the Northwestern A third seed, they appear just as dangerous to repeat their success.

In two games last week, the Lady Pirates took care of business, running their winning streak to nine. On Thursday, May 17, Polson was relentless, getting eight runs in the first and fourth innings and 11 in the second to decimate Whitefish 30-0 on Senior Day.

“Everyone was hitting well, didn’t let down and didn’t take them for granted,” head coach Larry Smith said.

Despite only having 16 hits, the Lady Pirate lineup worked walks and took advantage of four errors in putting up video game numbers. Riley Kenney knocked in three runs thanks to a 3-3 effort, while Shalaina Duford, Heidi Rausch, Makaliah Wilson, Jaylin Kenney, Jessica Bagnell and Colleen Jacobson, Polson’s 3-8 hitters, all recorded two RBIs. Duford, the winning pitcher, had a double among her three hits, while Ashley Johnson paced the offense with a 3-5 performance.

The pain started early and often for Whitefish. Duford shut down the top three hitters in order on just five pitches, then stepped to the plate twice as the Lady Pirates sent 12 hitters total to the dish. Johnson and Riley Kenney each had two hits in the first.

In the second, 15 Lady Pirates came to the plate, 11 of whom scored on just four hits. Polson’s efficient attack wouldn’t look back from there, scoring 11 runs over their next two innings for the win.

Against Libby the next day, the Lady Pirates had to grind out runs, but did enough to down the Lady Loggers 6-3.

“That helps set us up for state,” Smith said. “We were under pressure and had to have that win. The girls did very well and did what they had to do. Mentally, winning those close games is a big boost.”

Polson and Libby were knotted at one after three innings, but the Lady Pirate offense came alive in the fourth, scoring four times, more than enough to earn the victory. Polson’s 4-5-6 hitters, Tina Marquardt, Rausch and Jaylin Kenney, accounted for six of the seven hits, including a double and triple from Rausch, to wrap up the third seed.

“The middle of our order is on fire,” Smith said. “Jaylin, the last half of the season, is batting over .600.”

The Lady Pirates were in line for the second seed until Columbia Falls upset undefeated Frenchtown to steal that seed. It may be a blessing though, as now, the road back to the championship goes through teams Polson is familiar with.

The Lady Pirates will open up at noon on Thursday against the host, Anaconda, a team they defeated 16-2 just under a month ago at the Frenchtown Invitational.

“We feel comfortable with the bracket,” Smith said. “You get in a nice comfort zone and you feel good going in. The girls talked a little about Belgrade, but know they have to beat Anaconda at home.”

Should they win that game, they’ll face Belgrade at 4 p.m., a team Polson has split with. Belgrade knocked off the Lady Pirates 4-3 at the Frenchtown Invitational before Polson got revenge, 8-4 on May 11.

A win there could set up rematches with C-Falls or Hamilton before the favorite, Frenchtown, could await. In order to have success, Smith knows the hitting and itching will be solid, as it has been all season, and that the key to winning will be in the field.

“We need to play clean defense and that will carry us through,” Smith said.

As they get ready, Smith and his squad have one simple goal in mind.

“We expect nothing but gold,” Smith said. “There’s no other expectation for Lady Pirate softball.”

Of course, there is a lot of softball to be played between Thursday and Saturday, but the Lady Pirates are right where they want to be, looking for the three-peat.

POLSON 30, W.F. 0

W - 000 - 00 - 0

P - 8(11)3 - 8x - 30

Whitefish - 2 hits, 4 errors. Polson - 16 hits, 0 errors

Lady Pirates batting - Ashley Johnson 3-5, Riley Kenney 3-3, Shalaina Duford 3-6, Heidi Rausch 1-1, Makaliah Wilson 1-2, Jaylin 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. LP Pitching – Duford.

POLSON 6, LIBBY 3

P - 010 - 401 - 0 - 6

L - 001 - 100 - 1 - 3

Polson - 7 hits, 1 error. Libby - 6 hits, 0 errors

Lady Pirates batting - Ashley Johnson 0-4, Riley Kenney 0-4, Shalaina Duford 0-3, Tina Marquardt 2-4, Heidi Rausch 2-3, Jaylin Kenney 2-3, Jessica Bagnell 0-3, Makaliah Wilson 1-2, Colleen Jacobson 0-2, Sarah Rausch 0-1. 2B – H. Rausch. 3B – H. Rausch. LP Pitching – Duford.