Polson and Libby have been there, done that, so many times they can't remember the last time they actually missed out on participating in a Class A state softball tournament.

For Columbia Falls, however, it's a kind of a new experience.

After missing out on the season-ending show for the past two years, the Wildkats put together a breakthrough season this spring, finishing 7-6 in league play and 12-11 overall.

That was good enough for the fourth and final spot from the Western Division for the state tournament, which gets under way today at Stewart Softball Park in Billings. And the Wildkats have the honor of opening the three-day event with the first game of the day, 11 a.m. versus Corvallis.

"Oh man, it's a much nicer season," said Columbia Falls coach Dave Kehr of competing at state.

"A much better way to end the season."

Kehr says the Wildkats, offensively, ended the season strong. Junior pitcher Jennie Johnson is also at her best.

"Keep the errors down," said Fehr of being successful.

"Don't allow any big innings. That's what's killed us in the games we've lost."

Havre, the No. 3 seed from the Western Division, faces Butte Central, No. 3 from the Central Divisional, also at 11.

Libby and Polson shared the Western Division title with 11-1 marks. The two teams split during the regular season, but Polson earned the No. 1 seed to the state tournament.

Libby wound up 17-4 overall and finished the regular-season with a five-game winning streak. That included a 6-2 triumph over Polson last Friday.

Libby will open state play today with Hardin at 1 p.m. That winner moves on to face Billings Central, the No. 2 seed from the Eastern Division, at 5 p.m.

"Finishing off the season as co-champs was a good thing going into the state tournament," said Libby coach Dean Thompson.

"Defensively, the girls are playing really well together. We have a good mix of younger kids and older kids."

Sophomore Lacie Dedrick leads the team in hitting with a .542 average. Sam Schultz, a senior, is next at .492 with Brooke Hageness, a sophomore, third at .472.

All three have homered with Schultz owning the team lead in that department with three.

Hageness is the team's top pitcher, fashioning a 13-3 mark to date. Dedrick is next a 4-1.

"Seven years ago you could pick four teams that could win the tournament," said Thompson.

"Right now there are 10 that could win it."

Polson holds an 18-4 mark overall. The Pirates won state in 2004 when it was held in Whitefish.

Last year the Pirates were eliminated from state in a Friday loser-out contest.

"The first time I haven't played on Saturday since 2000," said Polson coach Larry Smith.

Polson has a first-round bye, but will face the Havre/Butte Central winner today at 3 p.m.

The Pirates already own convincing victories over both teams. They blasted Havre 21-0 and 14-4 and blanked Butte Central earlier this month 10-0.

"It's a whole new season now," said Smith, downplaying the earlier victories.

"Everybody is there for the same reason we are - to win games and bring back some hardware."

The last time Billings hosted this event was 2000. Polson hosted state in 2001-02 and 2005. It was held in Butte in 2003.

Junior Dylen Zetterberg is the team leader in hitting, .545, and pitching, 14-4.

"A very good control pitcher," said Smith of Zetterberg.

"She has a nice curveball, her drop ballworks nice, too. She also has a nice change-up."

Kyla McDonald, a junior, is hitting .507, Lindsey Rafter, a junior, is at .478, Jaelin Vandebergh, a junior, is at .450 and Amanda James, a freshman, is at .432.

"Yes it is," said Smith of this being one of his better hitting squads.

"They're very good players, very experienced players. They have all played on teams in the summer."

Vandeberg, James and Rafter have all homered for the Pirates.

Sarah Newton, a freshman, has also seen plenty of circle action. She's 5-1.

"Very good fastball," said Smith.

"Throws the hardest of all the pitchers. I utilize her a lot."

Smith said the key for Polson's success this weekend will hinge on three things.

"Pitching first and defense," he explained.

"We have to have timely hits. In all the losses we've had, we haven't had timely hits."

But Smith was quick to point out that "every time we had a loss, we rebounded big time scoring (wise)."

Starting Lineups

Libby

Brooke Hageness, so., pitcher; Sam Schultz, sr., shortstop; Katie Dedrick, sr., right field; Lacie Dedrick, so., third base; Shelby Barton, so., second base; Nickole Lapka, fr., DP; Teri Rebo, sr., catcher; Casey Hubbard, sr., center field; and Sara Lawrence, sr., left field; Megan Wedel, so., second base

Polson

Kyla McDonald, jr., shortstop; Dylen Zetterberg, jr., pitcher; Lindsey Rafter, jr., first base; Jaelin Vandeberg, jr., third base; Amanda James, fr., left field; Brittany Jones, jr., catcher; Nichole Brasher, sr., center field; Kendra Woldstad, jr., second base; Natesha Arlint, jr., right field

Columbia Falls

Jennie Johnson, jr., pitcher; Amber James, fr., catcher; Brittany White, fr., first base; Sam Venezio, so., second base; Vanesha Riley, jr., third base; Amanda Milliard, fr., shortstop; Cedar Smith, fr., left field; Kayla Stinger, fr., center field; Tia Yaeger, fr., right field; Sam Connor, so., DH