Lady Pirates softball receive all-state and all-conference accolades
THE POLSON Softball team celebrates after a homerun was hit during the first round of the Montana High School Association Class A state softball tournament at Frenchtown High School. Several members of the Lady Pirates’ softball team were selected to All-State and All-Conference recognition. (Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
Kaylanna Desjarlais and Kaelyn Smith were two of the major components that helped anchor the Polson High School softball team to their eventual fourth-place finish at the Montana High School Association Class A softball tournament.
Smith, who is signed with the University of Montana Lady Griz softball program, also earned Polson’s all-time stolen base record by breaking her cousin Strom Fouty’s all-time stolen base record.
Smith finished with a career stolen base record of 152 stolen bases. According to Smith, her speed was able to catch the University of Montana’s eye when the now Iowa State’s head softball coach began building the Lady Griz from an expansion softball team to a legitimate contender in NCAA Division I.
After Lady Griz coach Melanie Meuchel took over, Smith still was able to retain her spot. From 2015-2018 Smith compiled a lifetime .499 batting average in 355 at-bats with 177 hits, 28 doubles, 15 triples, eight home runs, 78 RBIs, 150 runs and 152 stolen bases.
During the regular season, Desjarlais maintained a regular season batting average of .469 with six doubles, a triple, five home runs and 22 RBIs. Desjarlais continued her season with a .231 average, a home run, and two RBIs that allowed her to earn All-State accolades.
Other Lady Pirates that received All-Conference recognition include the following:
Kaelyn Smith, 1st team
Kaylanna Desjarlais, 1st team
Vanessa Kent, 1st team
Quinn Motichka, 2nd team
Marina Mayorga, 2nd team
Laurel Bitterman, 2nd team
Paige Noyes, 2nd second team