Area softball teams look to extend success

For most of the past 15 years, softball has been the calling card of Lake County athletics. Last year was no exception, as Polson and Ronan each reached their respective state championship games. The county’s three teams, by all accounts, will again be at the top of the class in the state of Montana.

Mission-Arlee-Charlo

Coach: Susan Weaselhead (fifth season)

2013 result: 16-9 (fourth in Class B-C)

Returning starters: 5

The Bulldogs will have to replace a pitcher and all three outfield positions, but coach Susan Weaselhead isn’t too concerned about throwing new faces into the fire.

“I have some girls who played varsity that weren’t starters, but they should be able to step right up,” Weaselhead said.

Courtney Charlo (senior, Mission) will toe the rubber in place of graduated all-state pitcher Loren Erickson. Sophomores Mikaylan Roylance and Jaycee Anderson (both Charlo) will provide bullpen depth.

Weaselhead returns her whole infield, highlighted by all-conference catcher Alyssa Doty (senior, Charlo). She expects big contributions from four-year varsity player Connor Smith (senior, Charlo, 3B/Util.), shortstop Jordyn Eichert (sophomore, Mission), first baseman Emilie Charlo (junior, Mission) and do-it-all Morgan Malatare (sophomore, Arlee).

Weaselhead said she isn’t sure if any freshmen will step up to contribute, but she did allow that the outfield positions are basically open competition at this point in the preseason.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to first take the field on March 29 for a twin bill at Drummond.

Polson

Coach: Larry Smith (27th season)

2013 result: 25-3 (lost in Class A state championship)

Returning starters: 5

Polson’s softball team always seems to reload.

“Our kids seem to step in there and just pick up where they left off,” coach Larry Smith said. “…That tradition carries a lot of weight here in Polson.”

Despite losing four starters, including Montana’s all-time winningest pitcher in Shalaina Duford, the Pirates are poised for another season looking down on the rest of Class A.

The biggest question mark, obviously, will be pitching. Smith expects senior Jessica Bagnell to take over in the circle, but coming off elbow surgery at the end of last season, Bagnell’s health will be one of the Pirates’ biggest concerns.

If Bagnell is unable to pitch, Smith said he has four freshman pitchers from which to choose.

“As usual, our program has developed them young, and they’ll come in and do a fine job,” he said. “There’s one or two that I feel can step up and pitch right away for the varsity.”

The Pirates’ lineup is less of a mystery. All-state catcher Jaylin Kenney, a senior who led the 2013 team in batting average (.471) and stolen bases (13), will be a spark plug at the top of the order. Bagnell and juniors Jaiden Toth (CF), Kaelen Wall (1B/OF), Skyla Krantz (2B), Taylor Brackey (3B/IF) and Sarah Rausch (Util.) are all strong at the plate.

Sophomore Hannah Potter (SS/2B) started quite a bit last season, and speedsters Kyrie Bitterman (senior) and Lydia Dupuis (sophomore) should round out the Pirates’ lineup.

“We’re going to be very strong defensively, and we should be offensively as well,” Smith said. “… We’ve got exceptional speed all the way around.”

Although they are set up for another successful season, Smith said his girls can’t take anything for granted. The Northwest A, he said, is the state’s toughest softball conference without a doubt. Defending champion Frenchtown returns its core from 2013.

“They’re like us,” Smith said. “They just keep coming in.”

Columbia Falls and Libby should also be very competitive.

Ronan

Coach: Brad Benson (second season)

2013 result: 23-6 (lost in state championship)

Returning starters: 7

After defeating Florence thrice in the regular season only to fall to the Falcons in the state championship, Ronan’s softball team is ready for redemption in 2014.

The Maidens return the majority of last season’s state runner-up squad, losing just two starters.

Junior Kenzie Dulmes highlights the returning Ronan bats. The shortstop batted .457 last season and drove in a team-high 25 runs en route to all-conference honors. The rest of the infield is basically set as well, coach Brad Benson said, with Courtney Taylor at first base, Jordyn Clairmont at second base and Amanda Morency manning the hot corner. Juniors Kendra Starkel and Danielle Richwine return to the outfield. Alaina Madsen, a senior, is the clear choice at pitcher.

“I think they’re all going to get their positions back,” Benson said. “They’ve earned it.”

Benson touted a strong freshman class as well. He isn’t sure who will compete for the outfield position left open by graduated all-stater Ashleigh Lynch.

Depth at pitcher is another issue. Madsen and Samantha Colman shared the load last year, but Colman moved to North Dakota prior to her junior season, leaving Madsen as the only underhander with varsity experience. But with a lineup Benson expects to light up the scoreboard, the coach doesn’t foresee any major issues.