The Libby High School Softball team fell to Polson 16-8 in their final game of the season, during an already emotional night as five seniors — Cerria Swagger, Linsey Walker, Samantha Miller, Emily Carvey and Sammee Bradeen — had their final night game at Remp Field.

Though the Loggers fell behind by 6 runs in the 3rd inning and were unable to recover, they started strong.

The end of the 1st inning saw the teams tied, and when the Pirates came to bat in the top of the 3rd, Libby was up 7-6 over Polson.

“It was a slugfest,” said Libby Head Coach Dean Thompson.

“They hit the ball well, and we knew they did,” he said. The Pirates earned their win, and Libby didn’t give it up easily.

Outside of the top of the 2nd, the Loggers and Pirates were fairly evenly matched throughout the game, with few errors on either side and Polson only getting 5 more hits throughout.

Though Libby swapped in Walker for junior pitcher Keira Ward in the 3rd inning, the Pirates were able to pull in relief as well, bringing in a fresh pitcher near the end of the 2nd inning.

“Just, they got a few more hits than we did,” Thompson said. “They’re a good-hitting team. That’s the reason they’re number one in our conference.”

Thompson said he was proud of the effort his seniors gave in their final home game.

While there were some mistakes for Libby, there were also some great plays from the Loggers, he said. That included a fly ball caught by Walker in left field, top of the 3rd, that Thompson said could have been a homerun.

“She does a great job, and then she comes in and pitches for us,” he said.

“Those five seniors that we have, we’ll miss them next year,” he said.

With the players that Libby is losing, such as All-State catcher Bradeen, next year could be a challenge, but Thompson said they also have some good players who can step in.

“We’ve got some good, young kids that are going to step into some of those places,” he said.

Thompson said he wouldn’t say that next year will be a rebuilding year, despite the loss of several good players.

Saturday, May 18

Polson 16, Libb 8

P 337 010 2 - R:16 H:17 E:4

L 340 001 0 - R:8 H:12 E:3

P: Josie Caye 5-2, 2R, 2RBI; Kaylanna DesJarlais 4-0, 1R, 1BB; Paige Noyes 5-2, 2R, 1RBI; Lexy Orien 4-2, 2R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1K; Savanna Carpeiter 3-3, 2R, 2RBI; Anna Vert 1-0, 1K; Lauren Vergerant 2-1, 1RBI; Katelyne Druivestien 3-1, 1RBI; Kobbey Smith 5-3, 2R, 2RBI; Lisa Castillo 3-2, 2R, 2RBI, 2BB; Kallie Finkhiemer 3-1, 2R, 1BB; Shae Brown 1-0, 1R, 1K.

L: Linsey Walker 5-1, 1R, 1RBI; Emily Carvey 4-1, 1R, 1K; Sammee Bradeen 4-2, 1R; Taylor Holm 4-3, 3R, 3RBI, 1K; Sheyla Gallagher 3-1, 2RBI, 1K; MaKenzie Proffitt 4-2, 2RBI; Samantha Miller 4-1, 1K; Kira Ward 2-0, 2K; Aren James 1-0, 1K; Cerria Swagger 1-0, 1K; Bethany Thomas 3-1, 1R, 1BB; Ember Rode 0-0, 1R.

Batting: 2B - Noyes, Orien, Carpeiter; Gallagher, Bradeen, Holm; 3B - Holm; HR - Caye, Orien, Smith, Castillo; TB - Vergerant, Caye 5, Noyes 3, Orien 6, Carpeiter 4, Smith 6, Castillo 5, Finkhiemer, Druivestien; Gallagher 2, Bradeen 3, Carvey, Holm 6, Miller, Proffitt 2, Thomas, Walker; ROE - Caye, DesJarlais, Druivestien; Miller, Thomas 2.

Pitching: W - Vergerant 1.2, 47 P, .851 S%, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 SO, 0 BB; Druivestien 5.1, 73 P, .685 S%, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 SO, 1 BB; L - Ward 2.2, 72 P, .597 S%, 11 H, 13 R, 7 ER, 0 SO, 4 BB, 3 HR; Walker 4.1, 58 P, .603 S%, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 HR