Lady Pirates dominate Combo tourney in Butte

The Polson Lady Pirates softball showcased the strength of the Western portion of the Montana High School Association Northwest-A conference by sweeping all contest in the Laverne Combo Tournament Friday and Saturday at Butte.

The Pirates outscored Havre, Park County, Glasgow, and Miles City by a score of 45-4, which is indicative of the team’s momentum as they approach the Montana High School Association state softball tournament May 23-24.

Polson 11, Havre 4

In the first game against Havre, the Pirates continued to pressure their defense, in the 11-4 victory.

Polson scored three-consecutive runs in the first two innings, and the proceeded to score eight runs in the final three innings to end the contest quickly.

Pirates pitcher Lauren Vergeront pitched three innings with four strikeouts.

Katelyn Druyvestein relieved Vergeront for the last two innings, had one strikeout and allowed one hit.

The Lady Pirates’ Kobbey Smith hit 2-for-3 at the plate, with a home run. Other top hitters included Paige Noyes and Lisa Costilla.

Costilla was 3-for-3 at the plate, and Vergeront was 2-for-3, with a triple, in the victory over the Blue Ponies.

Vergeront dominates Glasgow, Miles City

Polson High School pitcher Lauren Vergeront didn’t allow a single run Saturday’s series against Glasgow, and Miles City.

Vergeront allowed five hits in the shutout in which she got plenty of offensive support from her Lady Pirates team.

Kaylanna DesJarlais had back-to-back home runs against Miles City.

DesJarlais blasted two home run in the victory and contributed to half of the Lady Pirates’ run total with her six-RBi performance. Lady Pirates’ player Lexi Orien also had a home run, with her two-RBi performance.

Maidens drop three of four.

The Ronan High School softball team dropped three of its four-game this past week Friday and Saturday.

In only Maidens only victory over Havard, the team showcased their offensive prowess winning 12-2 Saturday afternoon at Havard.

The Maidens got offensive contributions from some of their power hitters. Regan Clairmont, Madison Miller, and Macao Jackson each contributed with RBIs in the third inning.

Ronan hit one home run on the day. Regan Clairmont had a home run blast in the second inning.

Elizabeth Bluemel was 4-for-4 at the plate leading Maidens in hits.

Jackson allowed eight hits and two runs while striking out one and walking zero in the winning effort.

The Maidens are now 6-12 on the season.

M-A-C falls to Loyola in season-finale

Mission-Arlee-Charlo head coach Susan Weaselhead knew her team would be able to hit highly-touted power pitcher Loyola’s, McKenna Bessette.

Though they lost 6-3, the Bulldogs’ were able to prove they are capable of hitting the ball on a pitcher, whose velocity is clocked in the upper-50s, and according to some coaches around the league, is pushing the lower-60s.

Bessette, a transfer from Missoula Big Sky, wasn’t eligible to play until later in the season and was activated for the Class B-C Divisional Tournament that is set to begin May 17-18 in Anaconda.

M-A-C will begin their postseason in one of the most challenging conferences to get out of state in a Divisional that will include Florence, a two-time defending Montana High School Association champion, Plains-Hot Springs, and Loyola, who defeated Thompson Falls in the play-in game, now with one of the best pitchers in the conference.

Weaselhead has expressed confidence in her team’s ability to hit, and that ability should keep the highly-competitive Bulldogs in multiple games.