Lady Pirates lead-off hitter signs with the Lady Griz

Polson High School softball player Kaelyn Smith’s college choice was in limbo when then University of Montana softball coach Jamie Pinkerton stepped down as coach of the Lady Griz to accept a softball coaching position at Iowa State University.

Smith, whose speed caught the eye of Pinkerton at their summer Lady Griz camps, said she envisioned herself suiting up as a member of Lady Griz’s softball program, a team that has only existed for three years as an NCAA Division I sanctioned program.

“I kept going to Griz camps and they loved my speed,” Smith said. “Pinkerton was the head coach at the time. They timed me (at the camp) and said to me ‘that is the girl I want because that is the speed I am looking for.’ When he went to Iowa State, I didn’t know what to do because that is all I’ve been working for.”

When current Lady Griz coach Melanie Meuchel called Smith and expressed interest in signing her, she said it was a “sigh of relief.”

Smith made her signing with the University of Montana official when she signed a letter of intent with the Lady Griz this past Wednesday at Polson High School.

“I am super excited and thrilled (with the experience),” Smith said. “It was a moment of relief for us all. I am glad for it to calm down now that I know I am going somewhere and getting to play at the college level. It’s a sense of relief what college I want to go to and now I can focus on winning a state championship.”

Polson High School coach Larry Smith, also Kaelyn’s grandfather, said it was Kaelyn’s versatility that attracted the University of Montana to sign the young infielder, who is also on pace to eclipse her cousin’s Strohm Fouty’s all-time base-stealing record at Polson.

“When Pinkerton was talking to us, he envisioned her more as a role player,” Larry Smith said. “He liked her for her running, but also knew she was very versatile and wasn’t ruling out playing her in the infield if she can prove herself worthy of being there. I think the new coach liked her versatility and I think she is willing to plug her in anywhere she can help the team pick it up. They do need speed and her ability really opened the coach’s eyes.”

Kaelyn Smith had another opportunity to play softball at the Colorado School of Mines, but according to Larry Smith, had her heart set on the Griz.

“It is very meaningful and that was the whole priority for her since she started playing was to go to the University of Montana,” Larry Smith, who has coached the Lady Pirates since 1988 said. “She had other offers, but I am not sure she really kind of catered to any other program trying to recruit her. She wanted to play for the Griz.”

Smith said the U of M’s new softball program, now in it’s the fourth year of existence, provides a lot of opportunities for several Montana athletes aspiring to play softball after high school.

“It is getting more competitive and the talent is increasing everywhere,” Smith said. “I think the state of softball is going to get better in Montana because softball players in Montana really want to become Lady Griz players. That inspires them to get better and better. There is also better coaching and coaching clinics. You are starting to see elite softball programs on television and that is helping increase the popularity of the sport.”

Kaelyn Smith said she would embrace her new opportunity as she now focuses on trying to win a state championship with the Lady Pirates, something Polson hasn’t done since 2012.

“I am truly blessed with this opportunity and my coach, my grandpa, my family, and friends,” Kaelyn Smith said.