Pitching, timely hits lifts Polson

COLUMBIA FALLS — The hits all came at the right times on Friday for the Polson Pirate softball team.

There weren’t a huge number of hits — just six — but they all came right when the Pirates could best take advantage.

One day after losing a nonconference battle with Western AA Glacier, the Pirates bounced back to defeat host Columbia Falls 7-1.

In addition to the timely hitting, freshman pitcher Shalaina Duford turned in a stellar performance for Polson — two hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.

“She does all right,” smiled Pirate coach Larry Smith.

“She’s just a very, very competitive girl,” he added.

“We had timely hits,” Smith said.

“We talked about that. The few losses we have, we’ve had people on base. It’s a psychological thing. It’s ‘I’m going to hit the

ball.’ It’s not ‘I want to hit it or I need to hit it,’” Smith said.

“We just played with a lot of confidence. I think we helped pick each other up. They’re a fun bunch. They do enjoy each other and it shows on the field,” he said.

At the plate, Polson was led by Sallie Sams, 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Staci Benson was 1-for-4 with a triple and Riley Kenney was 1-for-4 with a double.

“And we played very good defensively. (The Wildkats) were putting the bat on the ball, too,” Smith said.

Columbia Falls pitcher Morgan Rowe also threw a great game — six hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

“Morgan pitched very well. She kept them off-balance. And defensively we were fairly solid. We made some plays,” said Columbia Falls coach Dave Kehr.

Offense was again the sore spot for the Wildkats. They had two hits — one in the first inning by RaNae Nelson and one in the sixth by Tessa Cowan.

Cowan came around to score after her single.

“Tessa had a nice hit. But two hits … that’s just the way it goes,” Kehr said.

“But they just chink away. (Pirate leadoff hitter) Staci (Benson) is fast. All of sudden, she’s on third,” he said.

Polson’s first run of the day came when Benson got aboard on an error. Kodi Woods sacrificed her to second, she stole third and came home on another error.

But the Wildkats stayed close. They trailed just 3-0 after five innings.

“You are thinking you’re right in the game — and then they get runners on,” Kehr said.

The Pirates (10-3) are at the Butte Central tournament next weekend. Columbia Falls (6-6) plays host today to Libby at noon and Stevensville at 2 p.m.

Polson    102    001    3     —        7        6        2

Columbia Falls        000        001        0     —     1        2        6

Shalaina Duford and Kayla Duford. Morgan Rowe and Katherine Jetty.

Polson —Staci Benson 1-4, Kodi Woods 0-4, Kayla Duford 0-4, Riley Kenney 1-4, Sallie Sams 2-4, Makaliah Wilson 0-4, Kylie Knutson 1-2, Ashley Johnson 0-2, Colleen Jacobson  0-0, Shalaina Duford 0-3.

3B — Benson.

2B — Kenney.

RBI: Johnson 1, Wilson 1, Sams 2.

Columbia Falls — Jessica Owens 0-3, RaNae Nelson 1-3, Shaun Rowe 0-3, Michonne Cronquist 0-3, Katherine Jetty 0-3, Cassidee Skiles 0-2, Morgan Rowe 0-3, Jaylynn Cantu 0-2, Tessa Cowan 1-2.

RBI: Shaun Rowe 1.