POLSON — The Polson Lady Pirates hadn’t taken the softball diamond for a meaningful contest since winning the Class A state tournament last season. You wouldn’t have known it from their first performance of the year.

Sophomore ace Shalaina “The Tiger” Duford went five strong innings, yielding just a run on five hits, while contributing a three-run homer and six RBIs at the plate as Polson began their quest for a third-straight state title with a 14-1 rout of the visiting Columbia Falls Wildkats on Saturday, March 31.

POLSON — The Polson Lady Pirates hadn’t taken the softball diamond for a meaningful contest since winning the Class A state tournament last season. You wouldn’t have known it from their first performance of the year.

Sophomore ace Shalaina “The Tiger” Duford went five strong innings, yielding just a run on five hits, while contributing a three-run homer and six RBIs at the plate as Polson began their quest for a third-straight state title with a 14-1 rout of the visiting Columbia Falls Wildkats on Saturday, March 31.

“They were absolutely excited to hit the field,” head coach Larry Smith said. “It seemed like they’ve been waiting at the gate.”

Third baseman Tina “The Terminator” Marquardt added three hits for the Lady Pirates, who scored early and often. Duford escaped a first-inning jam, getting a strikeout on three pitches with two runners on to end the opening frame.

“She’s got experience and the confidence to go to three balls on someone and still throw her pitch,” Smith said.

The Lady Pirates wasted little time in the bottom half of the first. Leadoff hitter Ashley “Bust a Move” Johnson singled, catcher Jaylin Kenney walked and Duford followed with a blast to left-center, giving Polson a 3-0 lead.

“That good start was the key for us,” Smith said. “I’ve always said hitting is contagious. We have a lot of confident, athletic girls who are all capable of big days hitting.”

Duford yielded a run in the second after a leadoff double and stolen base, but limited the damage, allowing the Lady Pirates to come back again in the bottom of the second. Jordyn Evertz led off with a beautiful bunt single, advancing to second on Johnson’s groundout and to third on a wild pitch.

With Duford on courtesy of a two-out walk, Marquardt lifted a fly ball to shallow left field, dropped by the shortstop, allowing two runs to score, giving Polson a 5-1 edge. Duford escaped trouble in the third when with two on and nobody out, she sat down three straight hitters, one of which became the third of Duford’s six strikeout victims.

The bottom of the third saw the Lady Pirates increase their lead to 9-1 thanks to four runs on six hits. Makaliah “Smackin’ Mak” Wilson, Jessica “JiB” Bagnell, Riley “The Cannon” Kenney, Johnson, Duford and Marquardt all notched singles in the inning as Polson kept the pressure on.

Following a 1-2-3 fourth for Duford, the first five Lady Pirates reached base and a five-run inning was capped off by an RBI double by Colleen Jacobson, giving Polson a 14-1 lead.

Duford wrapped up the game with a quick fifth inning, invoking the 10-run rule and giving the Lady Pirates their first victory of the season. Smith was obviously happy with his pitching and hitting, but noted that defensively, his team was very solid as well.

“Overall, we’re very good with our gloves and our quick feet, especially in the outfield with Evertz, Bagnell and (Heidi) Rausch,” Smith said. “They can close the gap in a hurry.”

Polson had scheduled games against Anaconda and Belgrade postponed due to rain on Friday and shifted their schedule to bring Columbia Falls in for Saturday’s non-conference matchup, as Belgrade, who was supposed to remain in town for a second game on Saturday, returned home early in the day.

Next up for the Lady Pirates is a tough Frenchtown team who has become one of Polson’s top rivals in recent years.

“Frenchtown is a powerhouse and they’re waiting for us,” Smith said. “They have a good transfer shortstop and are loaded. For us, it’s one of our big games.”

Polson’s road contest with the Lady Broncs is scheduled for Thursday night at 7 p.m.