WHITEFISH - They had just won their first two games of the

season a few days before, but that didn't stop the 12U Polson

Pirates from taking second at districts last weekend.

WHITEFISH - They had just won their first two games of the season a few days before, but that didn't stop the 12U Polson Pirates from taking second at districts last weekend.

"We've been working so hard, and the boys never got discouraged," head coach Clint Chowning said.

Polson started off the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Columbia Falls, then played a thriller against Clark Fork. Trailing 8-2 in the bottom of the sixth, the team got several hits to set up a huge RBI opportunity for Cadis Chowning. He tripled and then stole home to send the game into extra innings. While Polson ultimately lost, they still impressed.

"That extra inning was pretty hard on the parents and coaches," Chowning said with a laugh.

Pool play rounded out with a 2-0 loss to Kalispell AL to seed Polson fourth in bracket play.

And that's when they heated up.

They downed the Kalispell NL team 5-2 to advance to the semis where they faced a very tough Mission Mountain All-Stars team with players from Ronan, Charlo and Mission. True to their Mission Valley billings, both teams battled it out. Down 4-1 in the fifth inning, the Pirates rallied and Shane Rehbein plated the go-ahead RBI for a 5-4 win.

Polson did drop the championship game, but the team had already punched their ticket to the state tournament as the top three teams make it to state.

"I'm proud of the boys," Chowning said. "They've been keeping their heads up all season. I'd also like to thank all the parents who supported us. We've just come together as a team."

State will take place today in Hamilton with Polson's first game kicking off at 9 a.m. at Taulman Fields.