State 'A' Tourney Preview
May 28, 2009 Northwest Montana A Conference
STATE A SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Pirates primed for another run
By BILL SPELTZ of the Missoulian The team of the decade in Montana Class A softball will make a pitch for its fifth state title in nine years this week.
Polson 22nd-year coach Larry Smith knows what it takes to reach the pinnacle and understands the benefits of being the host team. He also knows the unpredictable nature of the state showcase.
"Three of our four titles were won on our own field," Smith noted, "but all three of those were tournaments where we lost either our first or second game and came back." If it's true defense wins championships, Polson has to like its chances. The Pirates (18-3) use exceptional quickness to close gaps in the infield and outfield, making it an exasperating task for hitters to find holes.
"Overall our team speed is what makes us one of the better teams defensively and offensively," said Smith, whose squad earned a first-round bye and will play at 3 p.m. Thursday against either Frenchtown or Havre. "Then we have a lot of experience mixed in with good young kids."
Polson struggled in the pitching department early this spring, but seniors Dakota Peterson (10-3) and Charlee Jensen (7-0) have come around. The Pirates' offense is led by mighty mite shortstop Staci Benson, slugger Sarah Newton (eight home runs) and freshman phenom Riley Kenney, who boasts a batting average near .600.
Polson will need to be at its best offensively if its first opponent turns out to be Frenchtown (18-4). The Broncs have a formidable senior pitcher in hard-throwing Shelby Russ.
When Russ (14-4) toes the rubber for a first-round game against Havre at 11 a.m. on Thursday, it will mark her fourth state tournament. Not only does she lead Frenchtown in the circle, she spearheads the Broncs' offense with eight home runs and a .567 average.
"We definitely have the tools to get it done," said Frenchtown coach Eli Field, who guided his team to a state title in 2005 in Polson. "We've got good pitching. We swing the bats fairly well. If we play defense we'll be tough to beat."
Field can find comfort in his team's wealth of state experience. Yet he's not afraid to admit it takes more to earn top honors.
"To win it, truly there's luck involved," he said. "There's no guarantee you'll come through when it matters.
"The bracket we're in, I think anybody can win it. The team that makes it all the way through will run into some good fortune."
When Frenchtown has struggled this season, its defense has been largely responsible. Field has made this an area of emphasis, noting that his championship team of 2005 did not commit a single error at state.
"When everyone is dialed in and you give a team extra outs, they're going to take advantage," he said.
Russ is one of three especially dangerous hitters on the Frenchtown team. The others are senior catcher Kristy Kees and sophomore outfielder Kayla Bordner.
Two darkhorses in the tournament field are first-round foes Libby (11-11) and Ronan (13-5). They'll square off at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with the winner advancing to play Belgrade at 3 p.m.
The Loggers lost six key role players from last year's state championship team. But don't sell them short.
"We're real young with two seniors, one junior and the rest sophomores and freshmen," coach Dean Thompson noted. "But looking at it, whoever plays three great games is going to win this thing and we have as good a chance as anybody."
Thompson is wary of the Maidens and senior Kaylee Larson (13-3), whom he calls "one of the best pitchers in the state." He also likes Ronan's speed and defense.
Libby counters with a sophomore pitcher in Taylor Armstrong. The Loggers' offense is led by senior Nickole Lapka, an all-tourney team selection last spring, along with sophomore Alysha Martin and freshman catcher Alexis Hageness.
"When we're playing well we've got some good hitters," Thompson said.
In the two first-round games on the bottom half of the bracket, Columbia Falls faces Livingston and Laurel plays Corvallis at 1 p.m. Butte Central awaits the winner of the Laurel/Corvallis game and Billings Central the winner of the Columbia Falls/Livingston game.
"I like our chances as long as we hit the ball," said Corvallis third-year coach Rich Borden, whose team holds an 8-13 record. "To me this appears to be one of the more wide open tournaments since I've been around."
Blue Devils senior leader Markie Gurley, an all-state shortstop, is a question mark after spraining her ankle. Corvallis relies on a freshman pitcher in Alex Ewing, who has improved her control over the course of the season.
Belgrade boasts the best record heading into the state tourney at 19-2. The semifinals and consolation round action will be held Friday at the Polson Softball Complex.
Pairings
State A softball tournament at Polson Softball Complex
Thursday
First round
Ronan (13-5) vs. Libby (11-11), 11 a.m.
Frenchtown (18-4) vs. Havre, 11 a.m.
Columbia Falls vs. Livingston, 1 p.m.
Laurel (12-9) vs. Corvallis (8-13),
1 p.m.
Second round
Belgrade (19-2) vs. Ronan/Libby winner, 3 p.m.
Polson (18-3) vs. Frenchtown/Havre winner, 3 p.m.
Billings Central (14-4) vs. Columbia Falls/Livingston winner, 5 p.m.
Butte Central vs. Laurel/Corvallis winner, 5 p.m. |
NATIONAL
MONTANA
