The softball play-in slate saw Polson, Ronan and Mission/Arlee/Charlo all punch their tickets to the state tournament. 

It was mixed results across the board but the result was the same as they all get one more week of softball action.

Columbia Falls 23, Polson 20

Polson had to take a loss before getting their win for state contention as they fell to Columbia Falls on May 19.

It was a high-scoring battle between both teams, with Polson getting an early edge. The Lady Pirates led 7-3 after the first two innings but an eight-run third inning from the Wildkats pushed them level at 11-11 after three innings.

However, Polson earned four runs in the final three innings compared to the Wildkats’ seven, leading to a 23-20 loss.

Natalie Nash had her best game of the season with eight RBIs on four hits and three runs scored to lead or tie the team in those categories.

Polson 13, Beaverhead County 9

The Lady Pirates punched their ticket to state with another close win, this time over Beaverhead County on May 23.

Polson’s scoring helped propel them to a victory here as they scored in five of six innings played with a six-run fourth inning being the highlight. While the Beaverhead County kept up for most of this one, they couldn’t match the six runs.

Polson won 13-9 with a trip to the state tournament to match.

Ahri Rushing led the team in runs scored with three along with one RBI on two hits. Logan McCrea, Gracie Hammer, Kendyl Jaeger and Peyton Wirz all earned two RBIs in this one.

Libby 15, Ronan 0

Ronan also suffered a loss on May 19, this time to Libby before their state-clinching match.

Libby was consistent throughout this game, scoring runs in all five innings played with Ronan struggling to score throughout. Multiple errors helped put the Lady Loggers up big after three innings.

The Maidens fell 15-0 after five innings.

Shelby Taylor, Nevaeh Perez and Autumn Lozeau all registered the team's three total hits in this game.

Ronan 11, Corvallis 7

It was redemption day for the Maidens and they capitalized with a huge win over Corvallis on May 23.

The Maidens had found ways to win tough games all year and they did the same against the Lady Blue Devils. Two early runs helped push Ronan to the lead, and from there, they never trailed. Consistency on both offense and defense kept Ronan in control for seven straight innings.

The Maidens earned their spot in the state tournament with an emphatic 11-7 win.

Hadassah Read notched two hits and four RBIs to help lead the team in scoring. Perez had three RBIs and one hit along with three runs scored.

MAC 12, Anaconda 2

MAC had four games in a packed weekend, with their first being a win over Anaconda on May 22.

The Lady Bulldogs never trailed in this one with a 4-0 lead after three innings. A six-run fourth inning sealed this game for MAC as Anaconda could never find a way back in.

The Lady Bulldogs started their weekend with a 12-2 win.

Alecia Steele led the team offensively with two RBIs on two hits and three runs scored.

Three Forks 9, MAC 8

MAC lost a heartbreaker to Three Forks on May 23 to secure their first loss of the weekend.

Despite taking a 6-2 lead after four innings, the Lady Bulldogs surrendered six runs in the fifth inning with multiple errors contributing to Three Forks taking the lead. MAC scored twice in response but could not find another run in the final two innings of the game.

Three Forks snagged the winning run off of an error on a ground ball, taking this one 9-8.

Jada Domebo and GG Hawk were stars in this tough game. Domebo had three RBIs on two hits and two runs scored. Hawk had two RBIs on three hits and three runs scored.

MAC 11, Ennis 8

MAC got another win this weekend over Ennis on May 23.

The Lady Bulldogs won this one due to an unreal nine-run first inning. Despite going scoreless in their last three innings played, MAC didn’t allow Ennis to find a way back into this game.

That first inning dominance was more than enough to give the Lady Bulldogs the 11-8 win.

Hawk had another strong game with two RBIs on one hit with three runs scored. Domebo, Steele and Johanna Long all scored two RBIs as well.

Troy 8, MAC 3

MAC’s final game of the weekend luckily didn’t decide their postseason fate but it was still a loss to Troy on May 23.

They took a 3-1 lead after the first two innings but they couldn’t score for the rest of this one. Six errors contributed to Troy’s surging offense as the Lady Bulldogs had no answers on offense.

The Lady Trojans got the win 8-3.

Hawk had another good game with one RBI on two hits and one run scored. Steele and Bella Dillard each earned an RBI as well.

    Polson pitcher Logan McCrea pitches against Ronan on May 7. (Emily Messer/Leader)

    Ronan hitter Marie Cheff drops the bat and runs to first base against Polson on May 7. (Emily Messer/Leader)