Wildkats, Pirates head to state

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Wildkats, Pirates head to state

Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 11:55 pm

The Daily Inter Lake |

Going for the three-peat.

The 2012 softball season has been more challenging for the Polson Pirates than in years past, that’s for sure.

The Pirates (16-5, 5-3) lost three conference games this season — two to Northwestern A regular season champion Frenchtown and one to Columbia Falls.

But the expectations for the two-time defending state champions are still sky high.

“We’re playing our best right now. I think we’re in great shape,” said Polson coach Larry Smith.

“Their expectations are nothing but the gold,” Smith said of the Pirates. “They’re still in that mode.”

It’s easy to see why — the Pirates have won six state championships since 2001.

“We’ve had (high pressure) for several years. We expect it. The girls kind of count on it,” Smith said.

Smith expects big things from the Northwestern A — when asked for his favorites, he listed Frenchtown, Columbia Falls, Belgrade and the Pirates.

Columbia Falls, Polson and Belgrade are all on one side of the bracket.

The Class A state tournament opens at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Charlotte Yeoman Fields in Anaconda.

Northwestern A No. 2 Columbia Falls (17-5, 5-3) opens the tournament at noon, against Eastern A No. 3 Billings Central. Should it win that first game, the Wildkats would face Southwestern A No. 1 Hamilton at 4 p.m.

Wildkat coach Dave Kehr is tending to a family matter this week and was unavailable for comment for this article.

This season “was a little bit of a challenge. It was different. But they really came through when it was needed. Our backs were against the wall for a long time,” Smith said.

The loss to Columbia Falls “made everything very crucial. But they came back very strong, very positive about it,” Smith said.

“We’ve got a battle right off the bat — and it’s not going to be a slouch,” he said.

The Pirates open with host Anaconda, No. 2 from the Southwest.

Polson defeated Anaconda 16-2 during the Frenchtown tournament during the weekend of April 27-28.

“But we’ve got to be careful. We feel we can win the game, but it’s at their home,” Smith said.

It doesn’t get easier with a first round win — next up would be Belgrade at 4 p.m.

They split this season with the Panthers — Belgrade won 4-3 during the Frenchtown tournament, while Polson claimed an 8-4 victory at the Butte tournament.

“They’ll be waiting for us,” the coach smiled.

“The girls know it’s double elimination, so you might as well take on the best right away.”

Class A

Thursday

Charlotte Yeoman Fields — Anaconda

First Round Games

10 a.m.

Lewistown vs. Butte Central

Laurel vs. Livingston

Noon

Columbia Falls vs. Billings Central

Anaconda vs. Polson

Second Round

2 p.m.

Sidney vs. Lewiston/Butte Central winner

Frenchtown vs. Laurel/Livingston winner

4 p.m.

Hamilton vs. Columbia Falls/Billings Central winner

Belgrade vs. Anaconda/Polson winner