Familiar field for state A softball

Same teams, just a different site.

Well, almost.

The Class A state softball tournament, which gets under way today in Polson, has a very familiar look.

Eleven of the 12 schools that participated in last year's event in Whitefish, which was won by Polson, are back.

The missing link is Hardin.

The new edition is Glendive.

"It tells you the strong programs are still there," said Polson coach Larry Smith.

"I'm looking forward to very exciting, great softball (this weekend). People will be entertained."

In addition to Polson, this year's returning cast includes: Belgrade, Billings Central, state runner-up Butte Central, Corvallis, Frenchtown, Hamilton, Laurel, Libby, Ronan and Whitefish.

Polson rolls into the tournament playing perhaps its best ball of the season. The Pirates crushed Hardin 21-0, downed Frenchtown 5-4 and clipped Libby 8-3.

The victory over Libby last Friday gave Polson, 17-5 on the season, the league title, 11-1.

"We ended very strong," said Smith.

Senior Keely Torgison, the clean-up hitter, paces Polson's potent offense. She leads with a .555 batting average and five home runs. She also has 24 RBIs.

Strohm Fouty, the leadoff hitter, is second at .542. The senior has 34 stolen bases and is riding a 12-game hitting streak.

Fouty is a four-year starter and has garnered first team all-state honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Sophomore utility player Brittany Jones is hitting .524. She is a part-time starter.

Jenni Nesladek is next at .516. A senior, she leads in RBIs with 26 and in sacrifice bunts with 15.

All that offensive firepower has led to more runs scored.

"We average 170-180 runs a year," said Smith.

"This year we're at 215."

The Pirates' fourth senior starter is Tami Bonkowski. The center fielder is hitting .431.

"She shines on defense," said Smith.

"One of the best defensive outfielders I've been around. She has stolen some great hits from people because of her ability to get to the ball quickly."

Polson has a first-round bye today. The Pirates will play at 3 p.m., facing the winner of the Belgrade/Hamilton outing. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Polson bested Hamilton earlier this season by the 10-run rule, but fell to Belgrade in tournament play in Butte in mid-May.

"Hamilton is greatly improved," said Smith.

"A strong defensive team. They don't have the offensive power we have."

Smith said Belgrade "is very similar to us."

Polson has claimed state titles three of the last four years. Hamilton won it in 2003.

Polson hosted this event in 2002 and 2001 with the Pirates winning state both times in dramatic fashion.

In 2002, Polson lost in the first round before storming back.

In 2001, the Pirates fell in the second round.

"Won seven straight to win it," said Smith.

"Nine games in three days."

Whitefish has five starters back from last year's state squad that posted a 2-2 mark in state play.

Those veterans are: Amanda Joy, senior, first base; Katie Hodges, senior, catcher; Tessa Kalfell, senior, third base; Alana Morris, junior, outfield; and Makayla Peck, senior, pitcher.

Whitefish opens state play at 1 p.m. versus Glendive.

"It's been a tough year," said Whitefish coach Aaron Phillips.

"Up and down hitting. Overall defense pretty tough, but we still need to work on our hitting aspect. Hopefully we will come out of our shell this weekend at the state tournament."

Whitefish, 10-9 overall and 8-4 in league, and Glendive faced off 7-1 in invitational play in Butte on May 15. Former Whitefish player Debbie Donsbach, now pitching for Glendive, checked the Bulldogs on five hits.

"Early morning game, we came out flat," said Phillips.

"She throws the ball well. Good speed, good control. We just have to do our job putting the ball in play, doing our job defensively."

The winner of the Whitefish/Glendive contest faces Laurel at 5.

Libby, like Polson, has a first-round bye. The Loggers' first action is at 5 versus the Butte Central/Ronan winner.

Those two teams play at 1 p.m.

Last year, Libby was eliminated in two games.

"We're playing well, the team is jelling," said Libby coach Dean Thompson.

"We have a good mix, freshmen all the way up to seniors. Have good balance."

The Loggers have three senior stars in Nicole Rowan, shortstop; Erin Bothman,center field; and Rose Young, first base.

Rowan and Bothman are three-year starters and all-state performers.

Laice Dedrick, a freshman, however, is the team's top hitter. The shortstop, who bats No. 4 in the order, is hitting .510.

Junior Sam Schultz, second base, is next at .490 and Rowan is third at .480.

Brooke Hageness, a freshman pitcher, is hitting .380.

Rowan has blasted four home runs and Dedrick three.

"Three things we need to do (to win it all)," said Thompson.

"Clean up the errors, we have to hit the ball and play great defense."

Libby did not face Butte Central this spring, but the Loggers downed Ronan twice.

Tournament action resumes Friday and concludes Saturday.