POLSON - After the Lady Pirates finished their softball

scrimmage last Thursday, instead of just packing things up and

going home, they decided to stay a little longer.

POLSON - After the Lady Pirates finished their softball scrimmage last Thursday, instead of just packing things up and going home, they decided to stay a little longer.

"The seniors didn't like the way they hustled in yesterday's practice," five-time state champion and Polson head coach Larry Smith said after the scrimmage.

So the Lady Pirates ran, with the senior leaders making the point that the team has to be on top of their game constantly, because in order to repeat as state champions, it has to be earned.

"We can't let down and take anyone for granted," Smith said.

After winning the 2010 title last season, adding to a trophy case that includes state championships in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2007, Polson knows they have a target painted on their back by other teams in Montana.

"I think the girls thrive on it," Smith said of his team. "I think they like it. Everybody plays their best against us. Everybody wants to beat us because they want to be us."

Polson defeated Belgrade 6-3 last year to win the state championship and get the fire truck ride back into Polson.

They did it thanks to focus on fundamentals and an extremely talented roster.

A big piece of the puzzle coming back for the Lady Pirates will be sophomore pitcher Shay Duford, whose relentless style of pitching should keep opposing batters guessing.

"She's steady, she's very confident and she's a little fireball," Smith said. "It's got to be absolutely perfect otherwise she'll get irate."

While junior Riley Kenney will be sidelined this season due to shoulder surgery and senior phenom Staci Benson graduated last year, there's plenty of punch in this lineup to make teams quake in their cleats.

Senior Kayla Duford will be working with her sister, Shay, as she solidifies the catching position for Polson. Senior Sallie Sams, senior Kylie Knutson, junior Ashley Johnson and Makaliah Wilson will provide considerable pop in the lineup.

Senior Kodi Woods will be prowling centerfield for the Pirates after having a great summer in ASA ball.

Leadership from upperclassmen has been strong for the Lady Pirates, and since they all have state championship experience, they know just what it takes.

"That leadership is what built the attention they have today," Smith said. "That's the tradition that's been established."

Numbers have been strong and Smith said he was impressed with the underclassmen coming through the ranks.

"We've got some pretty impressive young people," Smith said. "I'm just excited to get it going and see how we stack up against the best in the state."

The Pirates will get to face the best right off the bat, as they'll take on a good Belgrade program in the first game of the season.

"They've got a lot of exceptional pitching and depth," Smith said.

The Lady Pirates will kick off the season on the road with 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. games on April 2 in Belgrade.