Lady Pirates softball have 'strong' showing in Sidney

The Lady Pirates took their 670-mile round trip to play in the Class-A softball tournament and won four of their six games they played in a double-elimination format Thursday through Saturday at the 2017 state softball championship in Sidney.

Polson fell short of hardware, losing a closely-contested battle 2-1 to Hamilton and losing to the eventual runner-up Frenchtown 12-2 in the fourth-place match Saturday.

“We played six games and it was a pretty successful tournament,” Smith said. “Even though we didn’t end up where we wanted to be, our team played some of its best softball for the year except for the Frenchtown game.”

After the Pirates defeated Fergus 9-1, they had to face Hamilton, a team they split with during the regular season.

Smith said he felt the loss against Hamilton, which sent his team into the loser’s bracket of a double-elimination format, was “difficult” because the Lady Pirates had so many opportunities to win and outhit the Lady Broncs.

“Our first loss against Hamilton was a very good game,” Smith said. “We had our opportunities and they were just able to get the key hit at the right time.”

Smith said he felt his team did everything in the game right, except score.

“We just couldn’t get that one hit in order to put the game away,” Smith said. “In the fourth inning when they scored two runs, it started out kind of tough for us. They were able to sacrifice a player over to second and that Meis kid hit a double. They followed it up with a single to score and that was just the one bad inning that we had there.”

After trailing 2-1, Smith said he felt his team had multiple opportunities to “tie or take the lead.”

“We had our opportunities but it just didn’t happen for us and that was one of those things that just nipped us all year long,” Smith said. “We struggled to get that one key hit in order to put the game away.”

Prior to Friday’s losers bracket game against Sidney, Smith said he had a discussion with his team.

“After the loss in the Hamilton game, I had a talk with them,” Smith said. “My speech was about from this moment on, every pitch matters and every game is a championship game. You have to play every game like a championship game. I talked to them about having that fire in your belly and I didn’t feel like we were playing with that fire in our belly. They showed me different and came out with lots of fire. The bats really took over and defensively, we played really clean games.”

After Smith’s talk with his team, the Lady Pirates defeated Sidney 15-1, Havre 13-3, and arch-rival and conference foe Columbia Falls 2-0.

After the success the Lady Pirates had on Friday, Smith admitted he was “concerned.”

“I told my wife right before we went to bed ‘I hate to see Friday come to an end because we were on such a roll and had a high emotional win after beating Columbia Falls,’” Smith said. “I was really concerned.”

When they warmed up against Frenchtown in a game they eventually lost 12-2, Smith was worried about his team being able to sustain its momentum.

“I was really concerned that we weren’t going to be able to sustain the same intensity,” Smith said. “On Saturday, our team just didn’t seem to be quite as focused and intense to play the game. I looked across at Frenchtown warming up and they were fired up and very loose to play us. I got a little concerned before the play even started.”

Smith said he felt Frenchtown had the psychological edge entering the game. Coming into the game, the Lady Broncs had the won the previous four Class-A state softball titles and defeated Polson in back-to-back regular season games.

“No doubt, I am sure they felt very comfortable playing us having beaten us twice,” Smith said. “They were the defending state champion and have been there the last four years. They really had a lot of confidence and we didn’t have the fortitude and the championship fire in us like Frenchtown did. Psychologically, it was a huge advantage for them.”

Smith was correct and the Lady Pirates struggled to maintain their momentum they had from the previous day, resulting in a 12-2 loss.

“The tournament was really competitive and I thought the top teams were quite equal,” Smith said. “There were a lot of good teams at the top of their game, and each and every one of them wanted to win. During the whole tournament, I felt our defense played too uptight and against Frenchtown, we committed too many errors. You just can’t do that against a good team because a good team is going to take advantage of that. They did every time we made a blunder. They attacked us and made us pay for it.”

The Pirates will be losing pitcher Haley Fyant, second baseman Hannah Fryberger, infielder Breyland McColl, catcher Ashley Benson, and pitcher, first baseman Camas Renault to graduation.

Though they are losing at lot of seniors, Smith is “optimistic” for the 2018 season. His junior varsity finished with an 11-4 record.

“You always miss the seniors and it is a tough thing at the end of the year,” Smith said. “We have our final get together, have an awards banquet and say ‘goodbye’ but it is harder to say ‘goodbye’ to the seniors than it is making cuts.’”

Fourth place match

Frenchtown 12, Polson 2

Polson had an unenviable task comparable to trying to quell a stampede of Broncs determined for a chance at defending their four-peat crown. Unfortunately, the Lady Pirates found themselves in the role of first obstacle to get trampled along the trail for pride of place. Polson (18-10), Frenchtown (23-4)

Polson 011 000 – 2 6 4

Frenchtown 040 062 – 12 *10 1

Haley Fyant (5K) and Ashley Benson. Brynn Leishman and Dana Jacobs. W – Leishman. L – Fyant (15-8).

POLSON (17-9) – Kaelyn Smith 0-2, Laurel Bitterman 1-3, Hannah Fryberger 1-3, Fyant 3-3, Benson 0-3, Quinn Motichka 0-3, Camas Renault 0-3, Kaylanna DesJarlais 1-2, Paige Noyes 0-2.

FRENCHTOWN – Meg Delaney 1-1, Jordan Cole 2-4, Leishman 1-3, Allie Hochhalter 2-4, Morgan Snow *1-4, Calli Bagnell *0-3, Mikaila Neilson 2-4, Jacobs *0-3, Carley Thompson *1-4, (flex) Kylie Willett.

HR – Cole. 2B – Fyant; *Cole, Delaney, Snow, Neilson 2. RBIs – Motichka; Cole 4, Hochhalter, Neilson, Jacobs, Thompson. SacB – Smith. BB – Smith; Delaney 3, Leishman. HB – Bagnell.

(Sa27May17gm20st)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): F14h: Smith 2ab(go,W,SacB); Cole xbh(1B+FC vs. 2B), Snow 2h(K,2B,E,FC), Bagnell 2h(HB,FC,2xEvsH), Jacobs 2h(EvsH,k,FC,W), Thompson 0h(po,po,k,1B)

Polson 2, Columbia Falls 0

The WildKats threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth as they loaded the bases with nobody out and middle-of-the-order big stick Syd Hovde at the plate. Lady Pirate pitcher Haley Fyant induced a tapper to the mound, retrieved, then fired home to snuff the potential run trying to cross the plate with catcher Ashley Benson completing the double play with a throw to first to nab the runner before she could reach safely. Kaelyn Smith extended the school single season stolen base tally to the half century mark. Polson (18-9), C.Falls (15-10)

Polson 002 000 0 – 2 5 1

C. Falls 000 000 0 – 0 6 0

Haley Fyant (3K)and Ashley Benson. KJ Schweikert (4K) and Hannah Freeman. W – Fyant (15-7). L – Schweikert.

POLSON – Kaelyn Smith 2-4, Laurel Bitterman 0-3(FC), Hannah Fryberger 0-1(FC), Fyant 1-3, Benson 2-3, Camas Renault 0-2(FC), Rhiley Big Beaver 0-1, Quinn Motichka 0-3(FC), Kaylanna DesJarlais 0-2, Noyes 0-3, .

COLUMBIA FALLS – Kaylee Ashe 0-4, Peyton Kehr 1-3, Schweikert 1-3, Trista Cowan 0-3, Syd Hovde 0-3, Freeman 0-2, Taylor Putnam 0-2, Raychel Hoerner 1-1, Ryley Kehr 2-3, Kennedy Payne 1-2, (flex) Kaylene Volkman.

2B – R.Kehr. RBIs – Bitterman, Fyant. SacF – Bitterman. BB – Fryberger, DesJarlais. HB – Fryberger. SB – Smith 2(50th), Fryberger 2. DP – P1(b6). (Fr26May17gm17st)

Polson 13, Havre 3

Polson (17-9), Havre (10-13-1)

Polson 602 122 – 13 18 0

Havre 000 021 – 3 4 2

Haley Fyant (6K,2W,2A) and Ashley Benson. Alex Barkus, Jaycelyn Hassa (4) and Nicole Parsons. W – Fyant (14-7). L – Barkus.

POLSON - Kaelyn Smith 3-4, Laurel Bitterman 2-4, Fryberger 1-3, Fyant 3-4, (cr) Natasha Gravelle, Benson 1-4, Camas Renault 2-2, Rhiley Big Beaver 1-1, Quinn Motichka 3-4, Kaylanna DesJarlais *2-4(E), Paige Noyes 1-4(FC), (flex) Lisa Costilla.

HAVRE - Janae Boles 0-3, Parsons 0-3, Kinzy Peterson 0-3, Jacey McDonald 1-3, Maddy Tommerup 2-3, Lauren Kato 0-1, Camry Huston 0-2, Barkus 0-1, Hassa 1-2, Sam Oliver 0-2, (flex) Madi Shennum.

2B – Motichka 2, Desjarles 2. RBIs – Smith, Bitterman 2, *Fryberger, Renault, Motichka, Desjarlais 3, Noyes; Kato. SacF – Renault. BB – Kato, Huston. SB – Smith 3(48th), Fryberger, DesJarlais.

(Fr26May17gm15st)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): Fryberger 0rbi, DesJarlais 3ab(2B,E,go,2B)

Havre record reconstruction (1-2state, 2-2div,7-7-1reg[HDN], 0-2GFjambo)

Polson 15, Sidney 1

Polson (16-9), Sidney (7-14)

Polson 620 025 – 15 *13 1

Sidney 000 100 – 1 2 *3

Maddison DiFonzo, Maddie Peters (4) and Zoe Morrill. Haley Fyant (7K) and Ashley Benson. W – Fyant (13-7). L – DiFonzo.

POLSON – Smith *1-4, Bitterman 2-4, Fryberger *2-4, Fyant *1-3, Benson 1-4 Renault 1-2, BigBeaver *0-1, Motichka 1-3, DesJarlais *2-4, Noyes *1-2, Gravelle 1-1.

SIDNEY – Logan Peterson 0-3, DiFonzo 0-2, Maddie Peters 0-1, Emily Skogen 0-2, Madison Thiessen 0-3, Lexi Smith 0-3, Kiana Uran 1-3, Lauren Beenken 0-1, Jenna Baxter 0-2, Zoe Morrill 1-2.

3B – *Noyes. 2B – Fyant, Renault. RBIs – Smith *2, Bitterman, Fyant, Benson 3, Renault, Motichka 2, Desjarlais, Noyes *2, Gravelle; B. Fischer. BB – Smith, Fyant, Renault. HB – Motichka. SB – Smith(45th), Bitterman(25th), Gravelle, Grace Quinones, DesJarlais. (Fr26May17gm10st)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): P11h/S7e: Smith 0h (W,po,fo,1B,hbb), Bitterman 2h(H vs. E3c), Fryberger 1h (fo,1B,fo,1B), Fyant 4ab(W,2B,go,FC), BigBeaver 1h(inf), DesJarlais 1h(FC,go,1B,1B), Noyes 2h3ab(2Bvs3B,po,W)4rbi(Smith conflated w/Noyes), Gravelle 0h, BigBeaver 2rbi, DesJarlais 2rbi.

Hamilton 2, Polson 1

In this third battle with the Broncs in which the outcome would hinge upon a single run, Pirate pitcher Haley Fyant crested the century plateau for strikeouts on the season. Polson (15-9), Hamilton (15-4)

Polson 100 000 0 – 1 9 0

Hamilton 000 200 x – 2 4 1

Haley Fyant (5K) and Ashley Benson. Sky Lopez and Kelsie Meis. W – Lopez. L – Fyant (12-7).

POLSON – Kaelyn Smith 3-4, Laurel Bitterman 0-4, Hannah Fryberger 1-3, Haley Fyant 0-4, Ashley Benson 1-3, Camas Renault 0-3, Quinn Motichka 1-3, Kaylanna Desjarlais 1-3, Paige Noyes 2-2, Natasha Gravelle 0-1.

HAMILTON – Caitlin Dillon 2-3, Sophia Doyle 0-3, Rachael Ringer 0-1, Mallory McGill *0-3, Rachel Richardson 0-3, Kelsie Meis 1-3, Tessa Della Silva 1-2, Hayley Hudgins 0-2, Abby Johnson 0-2, (flex) Lopez.

2B – Smith, Meis. RBIs – Fryberger, Della Silva, Meis. BB – Fryberger. HB – Ringer. SB – Smith(44th), Fryberger. (Th25May17gm6st)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): McGill 2ab(FC,go,po). B4 sequence (HB,go,fo,2B,1B,k)

Polson 9, Lewistown 1

For the second year in a row, leadoff batter Kaelyn Smith reset the bar for stolen bases in a single season when she pilfered her 42nd, topping the 41SB she swiped last season when she eclipsed previous record holder Strohm Fouty’s 39SB set in 2002. Polson (15-8), Lewistown (13-10)

Polson 212 011 2 – 9 *19 0

Lewistown 000 000 1 – 1 5 8

Haley Fyant (5K,1H,2HB,1PO,3A), Camas Renault (5) and Ashley Benson. Carley Carpenter and Abby Germaux. W – Fyant (12-6). L – Carley Carpenter.

POLSON – Kaelyn Smith *1-5, Laurel Bitterman 4-5, Hannah Fryberger *2-5, Fyant *1-5, (cr) Natasha Gravelle, Benson 4-4, Renault *3-4, (cr) Rhiley BigBeaver, Quinn Motichka 2-5, Kaylanna DesJarlais *1-3, Paige Noyes 1-4, (flex) Lisa Costilla.

LEWISTOWN – Gracia Butcher 1-3, Elizabeth Craven 0-3, Mikayla Comes 0-2, Dani Gapay 0-3, Val Kolstad 1-2, Kinsey Irvin *0-2, Kylee Weeden *0-1, Gremaux 1-3, Shelby Long 0-0, Ade Lensing 0-2, Macy Mangold 0-1, Hanna Hayes 2-3.

2B – Motichka 2. RBIs – Bitterman, Fyant, Benson 2,*Renault, Motichka 2, Noyes; *Hayes.

SacF – Renault. BB – Benson, DesJarlais. HB – Comes, Kolstad. SB – Smith 2(43rd), Bitterman (24th), Fryberger, DesJarlais. (Th25May17gm2st)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s): P13h: Smith 0h (fo,1B,fo,FC,po), Fryberger 0h (2B,fo,FC,fo,1B), Fyant 0h (1B,go,fo,fo,go), Renault 2h5ab0rbi (SacF,1B,1B,k,1B), DesJarlais 0h (W,lo,1B,E); Irvin 3ab, Weeden 0h(1B vs. FC), Mangold 1rbi.

Other State A scores

Championship

Belgrade 6, Frenchtown 1

Third place

Frenchtown 11, Hamilton 7

Undefeated match

Belgrade 15, Hamilton 0

Semis

Hamilton 7, Frenchtown 4

Belgrade 10, C.Falls 1

Quarterfinals

Frenchtown 11, Stevi 1

C.Falls 11, Miles City 4

Belgrade 11, Butte Central 1

Opening round

Stevi 5, Glendive 4

C.Falls 9, Havre 8 (8 inn)

Butte Central 10, Sidney 0

first round

Miles City 8, Glendive 2

Lewistown 9, Butte Central 4

Havre 14, Stevi 13 (8 inn.)

Second round

Lewistown 5, Miles City 2

Third round

Frenchtown 8, Lewistown 1