Glacier a favorite in softball

Twenty-eight softball teams from around the Treasure State take to the diamonds for the final weekend of the season.

While the Glacier Wolfpack kicks off its postseason run in the Class AA state tournament at the Fort Missoula Softball Complex, the Polson Lady Pirates and Libby Loggers charge onto Charlotte Yeoman Fields for the Class A tournament in Anaconda.

Class B-C is at the Belgrade Softball Complex.

Classification may separate Glacier from their Northwestern A counterparts — Libby and Polson — but the goal remains the same — win a state championship.

CLASS AA

Making its third consecutive state tournament appearance, the Glacier Wolfpack enter the 2015 tournament as the top seed from the Western AA conference, earning a bye to state by claiming the top mark at 18-3 overall.

The last time Glacier entered the postseason as the top seed was in 2013 when it reached the semifinals on the way to a third-place finish.

Currently on an eight-game winning streak, the Wolfpack hopes to continue those winning ways in a quest for a state championship.

Glacier opens up the tournament at 2 p.m. today with the Great Falls Bison (10-11), a team they beat 6-4 in the first game of the season.

Glacier pitcher Ali Williams had seven strikeouts in the circle against the Bison and also went 2 for 4 with two doubles and four RBIs at the plate.

“That game was so long ago that we aren’t really taking much from it. They’re a very different team than they were in the beginning,” Glacier coach Andy Fors said. “But seeing them and competing against them just that gives the girls confidence heading into the game.”

Williams now leads the state in strikeouts, fanning 229 batters in 126 innings. With an ERA of 1.06, the junior hurler is a big reason the Wolfpack is a favorite for the title.

Williams gets plenty of runs support from the Glacier offense. Her batting average of .484 and eight home runs leads the team, while five other Glacier hitters are batting above .325 on the year.

Lead-off hitter senior Kayla Russell’s .400 average is highlighted by her team-high seven doubles. Katie Wiley, a senior typically hitting in the nine spot, is batting .385 with 10 RBIs and a home run.

“Especially in the last weeks of the season we’ve shown a lot more consistency,” Fors said. “We’ve had some girls step-up. We’ve had some great senior leadership this year. One through nine has the ability to put ball in play and be productive.”

The Wolfpack is 8-2 against the state tournament field, beating every team in the regular season except the Billings West Golden Bears. Glacier saw the Golden Bears in a preseason jamboree in Great Falls where they tied 3-3.

Regardless, hopes are high for the Wolfpack, yearning for a state title.

“That’s definitely the goal the girls have been focused on that all year long, working toward the state tournament, toward a state championship,” Fors said.

“We’re in a good position for the teams in the field. We’ve have an opportunity to matchup with them this year and, again, I think that gives us confidence.”

CLASS A

For the past eight seasons, Frenchtown, Polson or Libby have won the Class A state softball title. The chances for that to happen again are pretty good — all three teams are in contention, representing the Northwestern A conference at the state tournament in Anaconda.

The two-time defending state champion Frenchtown Broncs hold the best record of any Class A team in the state tournament field. With 20 wins, the only two blemishes on their record came consecutively to conference foes Libby and Polson.

The Lady Pirates, whose last state title was in 2012, their third in as many years, enter the tournament with familiar opponents standing in their way.

Polson (16-7) will take on host Anaconda (13-12) today at 11 a.m., a team it beat 8-2 in the first week of the season. A second victory over the Copperheads would win pit Polson against Billings Central, the Eastern A’s No. 1 seed, whom it beat 5-4 at Butte Central tournament in May. That game would be at 3 p.m.

Libby (17-5), most recently state champs in 2008, has yet to see its first-round opponent. The Laurel Locomotives (11-7-1) will meet the Loggers today at 1 p.m. A Libby win would see the Loggers take on Belgrade — the top team from the Central — at 5 p.m.

State Tournament Schedules

Thursday

Class AA

At Fort Missoula Softball Complex

Missoula

First Round

2 p.m.

Glacier vs. Great Falls High

Billings West vs. Helena Capital

4 p.m.

Great Falls C.M. Russell vs. Helena High

Missoula Big Sky vs. Butte

Class A

At Charlotte Yeoman Fields

Anaconda

First Round

11 a.m.

Butte Central vs. Livingston

Polson vs. Anaconda

1 p.m.

Laurel vs. Libby

Havre vs. Miles City

    NOTE: Northwestern, Eastern, Central and Southwestern league champions Frenchtown, Billings Central, Belgrade and Hamilton all have first-round byes

Second Round

3 p.m.

Frenchtown vs. Butte Central/Livingston winner

Billings Central vs. Polson/Anaconda winner

5 p.m.

Belgrade vs. Laurel/Libby winner

Hamilton vs. Havre/Miles City winner

Class B-C

At Belgrade Softball Complex

2 p.m.

Conrad/Choteau vs. Plains/Hot Springs

Ronan vs. Great Falls Catholic Central

4 p.m.

St. Ignatius/Charlo/Arlee vs. Shepherd

Glasgow vs. Florence/Carlton