Polson’s bats hot against Wildkats
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POLSON — Mother Nature had something to say about Polson’s plans to host Belgrade and Anaconda Friday, but despite the rainouts, the Lady Pirates’ softball team still managed to get a season-opener in Saturday when the neighboring Columbia Falls Wildkats came to town. The Wildkats originally were scheduled to play Belgrade Saturday but decided to make the short trek to Polson anyway when the Panthers were scared off by the clouds.
The nonconference matchup was short-lived, as the Lady Pirates and all-state pitcher Shalaina Duford made quick work of the Wildkats. Officials brought the 10-run margin rule into play and called the game after just four innings, with Polson winning 14-1.
“I was very impressed with both offense and defense,” head coach Larry Smith said. “Defensively, we played a perfect game; there were no mistakes there.”
Duford, a junior, allowed only five hits and went 2-2 at the plate with a home run and six RBIs. Martina Marquard added a double and put two teammates on plate, while Riley Kenney, back from a shoulder injury that kept her out all last season, added two singles and two RBIs.
Smith was also impressed with right-fielder Jordyn Evertz, who started for the Lady Pirates for the first time Saturday, showing she can handle the pressure and making “a great catch on a hard hit,” Smith said.
The Lady Pirates travel to Frenchtown Thursday, where they hope to chalk up a Northwestern A rivalry win over the Lady Broncs, which won’t be an easy task, Smith noted.
“Frenchtown’s loaded,” he said.
SUMMARY
Polson 14, Columbia Falls 1
Columbia Falls 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 5 2
Polson 3 2 4 5 x - 14 17 0
Ashley Trueblood, Winter Kemppainen, Shaun Rowe and Erika Nelson. Shay Duford and Jaylin Kenney. WP - Duford 1-0 (5H, 1 W, 6 SO), LP - Ashley Trueblood 1-1 (>9 H, 1 W, 0 SO)
C. FALLS — Tiffany Hummer 2-3, Jaylynn Cantu 1-3, Shaun Rowe 1-3, Niki Birky 1-2, Madison Sandefer 0-2, Erika Nelson 1-2, Jordan Lefebvre 0-2, Ciarra Holm 0-1, Winter Kemppainen 0-1, Kathryn Jetty 0-2.
POLSON — Ashley Johnson 3-3, J. Kenney 0-1, Duford 2-2, Tina Marquardt 3-4, Heidi Rausch 0-3, Mak Wilson 2-3, Jessica Bagnell 2-3, Riley Kenney 2-2, Jordyn Evertz 2-3, Jaelynn Ellenwood 0-1, Sidnee Brackey 0-1, Coleen Jacobson 1-1.
2B - Nelson, Marquardt, Jacobson. HR - Duford. RBIs - Holm, Duford 5, R. Kenney 2, Marquardt, Evertz, Jacobson. Sacs - Holm, Rowe, Johnson, J. Kenney, Duford.
