Veteran coaches help lead Polson Lady Pirates softball team
By John Heglie
Special to the Leader
Veteran 28th-year head coach Larry Smith and fifth-year assistant coach Don Toth are joined by former Kalispell Glacier Lady Wolfpack volunteer assistant coach Abby Connolly as the Polson Lady Pirates softball team embarks upon a rigorous schedule in their pursuit to qualify for postseason play.
Two-time defending State A champion Frenchtown and State A runnerup Belgrade loom as the top contending competitors that the Lady Pirates will face this season. Both can field multiple hurlers from the mound as well as back up their pitchers with punch at the plate.
No Northwestern A division team can afford to overlook an opponent on their competitive conference schedule. Frenchtown looks strong enough to capture one of the three qualifying slots for the postseason regardless of whether they recapture the top perch or not, leaving two post-season berths remaining. The Lady Broncs have a veteran seasoned senior on the mound who doesn’t need much in terms of run support despite the fact that Frenchtown graduated a handful who wielded some big sticks. Polson’s other conference competition includes the Columbia Falls WildKats and the Lady Loggers from Libby. Both teams have swapped places finishing third at state the past two seasons. Whitefish is anticipated to be vastly improved, which means every game is going to count.
A good barometer of how Polson fares over the course of any given season tends to emerge from their performance at the LaVerne Combo Butte Invitational Softball Tournament in mid-May each year. Combining the scores from that tournament format over the past four seasons yields a 217-32 scoring disparity in favor of Polson. Team win-loss records provide an indicator of competitive consistency, but whether a team is peaking in its performance the final two weeks of the regular schedule anticipates how a squad might perform in the postseason.
Polson opens its 2015 schedule hosting a doubleheader March 28.
Looking BACK
The 2014 rendition of the Polson Lady Pirates finished 21-6.
Polson went 6-2 in division play, 16-3 through regular schedule regulation games that expanded to 19-4 when 2014 Belgrade “First Pitch” Softball Invitational jamboree format competition was factored into the equation.
Both division losses came from eventual State A repeat champion Frenchtown. Polson also played close contests against the Columbia Falls WildKats as well as their regular season finale against the Libby Lady Loggers.
The 2014 rendition of the Lady Pirates graduated a trio of seniors and lost another trio to transfer, injury recovery and other considerations:
Catcher Jaylin Kenney is extending her athletic career at the collegiate level for Carroll College in both softball and golf. Kenney garnered three-time all-state, four-time all-conference recognition in golf and her extensive softball credentials include 10U ASA 2006 state champion, twice all-state, thrice all-conference (1st-tm 2014-13, 2nd-tm 2012) accolades.
J.Kenney MHSA 2014 season (27gms) - .578AVG 102AB, 59H, (13)2B, (2)3B, 33RBIs, 39R
J.Kenney MHSA 2011-14 career (4yrs) - .512AVG, 147H, (20)2B, (6)3B, 1HR, 88RBIs, 16R,
J.Kenney ASA16U 2011-13 career (3yrs) - .502AVG, 122H, (9)2B, (5)3B, 38RBI, 80R with Polson.
Pitcher Jessica Bagnell is extending her athletic career at the collegiate level for MSU Billings in softball.
Bagnell bears a unique distinction in that she was conferred her all-conference recognition under a different position designation each of her prep seasons. The softball accolades of Bagnell include 10U ASA 2006 state champion, all-state, four-time all-conference 1st-team (p 14, if 13, of 12, ut 11), 2013 all-tournament as well as basketball all-conference honorable mention recognition for the 2012-13 winter season.
J.Bagnell MHSA 2014 season (27gms) - .415AVG, 39H, (12)2B, (2)3B, 5HR, 36RBIs, 34R.
J.Bagnell MHSA 2011-14 career (4yrs) - .447AVG,135H, (28)2B, (11)3B, 8HR, 101RBIs, 107R.
J.Bagnell ASA16U 2012-13 career (2yrs) - .461 AVG, 53H, (8)2B, (1)3B, 1HR, 31RBIs, 44R with Polson Purple Rain.
Outfielder Kyrie Bitterman was a two-time ASA (10U 2006, 14U 2011) state champion as well as all-conference second-team selectee. One of her more memorable highlight reel plays took place last season against Columbia Falls. In the bottom of the 4th inning with one out and the bases loaded, the top of the WildKat order hit a sinking line drive which Bitterman charged, made an exceptional catch and then relayed the ball to third base to complete a double play that ended the inning.
K.Bitterman MHSA 2014 season (27gms) - .338AVG, 27H, (5)2B, (1)3B, 13RBIs, 27R.
K.Bitterman MHSA 2013-14 career (2yrs) - .319AVG, 30H, (5)2B, (1)3B, 15RBIs, 32R.
K.Bitterman ASA16U 2012-13 career (2yrs) - .409AVG, 47H, (8)2B, (3)3B, 24RBIs, 24R.
E.Shew 16UASA 2014 season (1yr) - .308AVG,12H, (1)2B, 4RBIs, 7R
E.Shew LPJV 2014 season (1yr) - .361AVG, 13H, (2)2B, (1)3B, 10R
E.Shew / .308AVG, 4H, (1)2B, 6RBI, 2R limited LPVar 2014
2015 POLSON LADY PIRATE SOFTBALL ROSTER
Volleyball all-state, three time all-conference and softball 14U ASA 2011 state champion, all-conference 1st-team senior centerfielder Jaiden Toth is a versatile switch hitter who can slap-bunt from either side of the plate with Marvel comic-strip universe Flash-like speed for blazing her way along basepaths.
Her acceleration may not quite ripple the air with a blur, but her wheels tend to be fast enough to place this speedster on board in the blink-of-an-eye if a fielder isn’t paying attention to current events.
J.Toth MHSA 2014-12 career (3yr) - .313AVG, 50H, (5)2B, (1)3B, 39RBI, 48R
J.Toth ASA 16U 2013-12 career (2yrs) - .463AVG, 63H, (8)2B, (1)3B, 20RBI, 47R with Polson Purple Rain
Playing first base is 14U ASA 2011 state champion, all-conference 1st-team senior infielder Kaelen Wall, whose quick reflexes and strong arm can instigate strategic plays at both the defensive as well as offensive ends of the spectrum. An example of some of her offensive punch can be illustrated by her 11-14 plate performance at the Butte Tournament last spring that included a half dozen extra base hits along with 15RBIs, sufficient to raise the eyebrows of a few collegiate coaches in attendance.
K.Wall MHSA 2013-14 career (2yrs) - .357AVG, 41H, (4)2B, (5)3B, 6HR, 39RBIs, 37R, 115AB.
K.Wall ASA 16U 2012-13 career (2yrs) - .394AVG, 43H, (5)2B, (4)3B, 27 RBIs, 32R with Polson Purple Rain.
Shoring up the other side of the infield is 14U ASA 2011 state champion, all-conference 2nd-team senior third base infielder Taylor Brackey (.344AVG, 21R, 22H, (3)2B, (1)3B, 2HR, 13RBIs in MHSA 2014 || who exhibits golden glove quality fielding skills in conjunction with a strong throwing arm for eradicating potential hits as well as base runners. Taylor has been known to tee-off on the ball when she morphs into “Brack-attack” mode, illustrated by the pair of home runs she uncorked against AA Kalispell Glacier pitching last season.
T.Brackey MHSA 2014-13 cumulative (2yrs) - .302AVG, 29H, (5)2B, (2)3B, 2HR, 18RBIs, 32R.
T.Brackey ASA 16U 2014-12 career (3yrs) - .390AVG, 71H, (14)2B, (1)3B, 1HR, 49 RBIs, 54R with Polson Purple Rain.
Behind the plate is 14U ASA 2011 state champion senior catcher Sarah Rausch (.243AVG, 14R, 9H, (1)2B, 1HR, 9RBIs in MHSA 2014 / .333AVG, 9R, 10H, (1)2B, 4RBIs in limited appearances of 16U ASA 2014) provides the Lady Pirate lineup with a versatile player who can adapt at numerous positions as needed. Rausch is a consistent batter who can place the bat on the ball, but her sharp eye at the plate has also drawn the second highest number of walks on the team.
S.Rausch MHSA 2014-12 cumulative (3yrs) - .232AVG, 19H, (2)2B, 1HR, 22RBI, 28R.
S.Rausch ASA 16U 2014-13 career (25gms) - .275AVG, 14H, (1)2B, 7RBIs, 12R, 51AB.
Patrolling the corners of the outfield is senior outfielder Skyla Krantz, who has a good eye at the plate and quick acceleration on the base path.
S.Krantz MHSA 2014-12 cumulative (2yrs) - .361AVG, 13H, 3RBI, 7R, 36AB
S.Krantz ASA 16U 2014-12 career (3yrs) - .380AVG, 62H, (3)2B, 2HR, 22RBIs, 37R, 163AB with Polson Purple Rain.
Shoring up the infield is 10U ASA 2009 state champion, all-conference (2nd-tm ut 2013) junior second base Hannah Potter.
H.Potter MHSA 2014-13 cumulative (2yrs)
- .354AVG, 45H, (7)2B, 7HR, 44RBIs, 56R, 127AB.
H.Potter ASA16U 2013 season (1yr) - .300AVG, 21H, (2)2B, 1HR, 12RBIs, 20R with Polson Purple Rain.
Roving among the corners of the outfield is Lydia Dupuis, a 14U ASA 2011 state champion, all-conference honorable mention junior outfielder, and an emerging slap bunter whose batting average is on the upward ascent as she hones her technique at the plate. Dupuis is one of the quicksters on the squad who can cover a lot of ground in a hurry.
L.Dupuis MHSA 2014 season (1yr) - .327AVG, 17H, (4)2B, (1)3B, 10RBIs, 20R.
L.Dupuis ASA 16U 2014-13 cumulative (2yrs) - .278AVG, 30H, (2)2B, 7RBIs, 22R, 108AB
Hurling from the mound is two-time ASA state champion (14U 2011, 10U 2009) junior pitcher Kylie Murphy, who returns to the circle after a hiatus last season recovering from injury.
Accelerated track senior 10U ASA 2009 state champion infielder/outfielder Natalie Slonaker infuses the lineup with another player with a discriminating eye at the plate as well as supplement the roster with a defensive asset with her glove.
N.Slonaker ASA 16U 2014-13 (2yrs) - .310AVG, 26H, (6)2B, 13RBIs, 11R, 84AB in 39/48gms)
Freshman shortstop Kaelyn Smith led her summer 16U ASA Purple Rain squad in multiple categories. Smith has a nice blend of eye-hand coordination, range and speed that is anticipated to continue on the upward ascent as her game continues to mature.
K.Smith ASA 16U 2014 season (21gms) - .491AVG, 28H, (2)2B, 1HR, 16RBI, 12R
Sophomore utility/designated hitter Ashley Benson had the highest batting average on the junior varsity squad last season and the second highest average at the plate last summer. Benson is an emerging utility asset for the Lady Pirates who can be deployed at multiple positions and has further expanded her repertoire to include throwing from the mound.
A.Benson ASA 16U 2014 season (1yr) - .339AVG, 20H, (5)2B, 11RBI, 12R.
A.Benson LPJV 2014 season (1yr) - .551AVG, 27H, (6)2B, (1)3B, 23R.
A.Benson MHSA 2014 partial (½yr) - .256AVG, 11H, (2)2B, 7RBI, 14R in 22/27gms.
Sophomore utility Hannah Fryberger was among a trio of junior varsity players last season who hit north of a .500 average. She tied for second most extra base hits on the junior varsity and had the closest plate numbers to the team batting average last summer.
H.Fryberger LPJV 2014 season - .286AVG, 12H, (1) 2B, 14R in 16U ASA 2014 / .509AVG, 31H, (7)2B, 25R in JV)
Sophomore reserve pitcher Camas Renault was one of the top five hitters on the junior varsity squad last season with a discriminating eye at the plate and a gun-for-an-arm when catching behind it.
C.Renault LPJV 2014 season (1yr) - .362AVG, 17H, (3)2b, (1)3B, 19R.
AUXILARY RESERVES & JUNIOR VARSITY ROSTER
Sophomore pitcher/utility Haley Fyant is a versatile utility player who can be inserted into the Lady Pirate lineup at multiple positions as well as a capable pitcher on the mound. Fyant holds ASA hardware credentials stemming from her 2013 ASA state runnerup season with the 14U Missoula Lady Osprey Delridge
H.Fyant ASA 16U season (1yr) - .244AVG, 10H, (2)2B, 7RBI, 4R
H.Fyant LPJV season (1yr) - .417AVG, 20H, (3)2B, (1)3B, 17R.
Freshman outfielder Laurel Bitterman is another up-and-comer who injects the lineup with a dose of high-octane speed.
L.Bitterman ASA 16U season (1yr) - .229AVG, 11H (1)2B, (1)3B, 6RBI, 8R.
Returning sophomores from last season’s junior varsity squad include Mollie Fisher (.464AVG, 14H, (1)2B, 11R LPJV 2014), Whitney Barr (.280AVG, 7H, (1)2b, (1)3B, 6R LPJV 2014), Breyland McColl (.468AVG, 22H, (5)2B, (3)3B, 19R LPJV 2014), Mikayla Croft (.522AVG, 12H, (1)2B, 16R LPJV 2014), while Lauren Lefthand (2009 ASA 10U state champion) joins the squad after having to sit out last season on account of a basketball injury.
Incoming freshmen in addition to Smith and Bitterman include Quinn Motichka, Jaylynn Leadercharge, Taryn Gravelle as well as Hailey Bennett.
Any of the above mentioned underclassmen could vie for playing time at the varsity level as the season progresses as they refine their skill sets and their game matures.