MONTANA

FIND A SCHOOL

HELP

MY IHIGH

LIVE BROADCASTS

SPORTS

OTHER

NWMT 'A' LINKS

MEDIA

Home » Girls' Softball News

State Tourney at Polson

May 27, 2009

Northwest Montana A Conference

Click to view

Pirates shine at home for state

By DAVID LESNICK/The Daily Inter Lake

Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:50 AM CDT
If you're looking for a good omen regarding Class A state softball and Polson, try this one.

Polson has hosted the state tournament four times and has won it three of those years (2001, 2002 and 2007).

Only in 2005 did the Pirates fail to place at home.

The 2009 state tournament begins Thursday in Polson with the Pirates one of the favorites. They won the Western A regular-season title with a 9-1 mark, and wound up 18-3 overall.

"Another typical, great softball season for us," Smith said so far.

"We've been a successful program since the late 1990s. The players just keep coming."

In 2001, the Pirates fell in the second round at state, then had to win seven-consecutive games in loser-out action to claim the title.

In 2002, they lost in the second round, again, and this time came back to win it after playing six- straight games.

In 2007, they lost their first game, then won seven straight to claim the trophy.

It wasn't always easy, but the end result was a championship.

Only once did the Pirates take the easy route to the title, winning four straight in Whitefish. That was in 2005.

In Smith's 22 seasons with the program, Polson has advanced to state every year. The Pirates were state runners-up in 1997 and finished third in 1999.

Polson will have a first-round bye on Thursday, along with Belgrade, Billings Central and Butte Central.

Two of Polson's losses are to teams in its state bracket. Belgrade nipped the Pirates 4-3 in a five-inning game at the Butte Central Invitational.

The other setback was to Frenchtown, 8-6 at Frenchtown. That was five games into the season.

Joining Polson from Western A at this year's tournament are Columbia Falls and Libby.

Over in Class AA in Helena, Glacier is making its first-ever state trip. The Wolfpack, 11-11 overall, advanced by crushing Missoula Big Sky last week 18-3 and 12-4 in a playoff series.

Pairings for all the tournaments follow.

Class A State Softball

Thursday

At Polson Softball Complex

Thursday

11 a.m.

Ronan vs. Libby

Frenchtown vs. Havre

1 p.m.

Columbia Falls vs. Livingston

Laurel vs. Corvallis

p.m.

Belgrade vs. Ronan/Libby winner

Polson vs. Frenchtown/Havre winner

5 p.m.

Billings Central vs. Columbia Falls/Livingston winner

Butte Central vs. Laurel/Corvallis winner

CONTENTS

News / Home

General News

School Top 20

Calendar 2009-10

SPORTS

Boys' Basketball

All-State/Conference

Bracket--Divisional

Bracket--State

Conference Scores/Standings

Power Poll

Records BBB

State Champions BBB

State Scores

Stats/Schedules

Top Ten

Archives

Girls' Basketball

All-State/Conference

Bracket--Divisional

Bracket--State

Conference Scores/Standings

Power Poll

Records GBB

State Champions GBB

State Scores

Stats/Schedules

Top Ten

Archives

Cross Country

Records BXC

Records GXC

Results XC

State Champions BXC

State Champions GXC

Football

All-State/Conference

Conference Scores/Standings

Playoffs

Power Poll

Football Records

State Champions FB

State Scores

Stats/Schedules

Top Ten

Archives

Boys' Soccer

Playoffs

Records BSoc

Scores

Standings

Stats

State Champions BSoc

All-State/Conference

Archives

Girls' Soccer

Playoffs

Records GSoc

Scores

Standings

State Champions GSoc

Stats

All-State/Conference

Archives

Track & Field

Records BTF

Records GTF

Results

State Champions BTF

State Champions GTF

Girls' Volleyball

All-State/Conference

Bracket--Divisional

Bracket--State

Records VB

Conference Scores/Standings

State Champions VB

Stats/Schedules

Top Ten