Purple Rain hope to repeat as state champs

The Polson Purple Rain went 5-2 on the weekend and brought home third place in the 16U division at the Glacier Emeralds tournament in Kalispell this past weekend as the team heads into this weekend's ASA state tourney in Helena.

The Rain had taken a week off over the Fourth of July holiday and were able to come back and handle most of what they faced.

"We did well after our layoff and rest," said coach Larry Smith.

The Purple Rain got a chance to see some teams from out of the area. They faced two tough teams from Washington and were able to beat the Spokane Storm, 2-1.

"To me the Storm was the best team there. They just don't make mistakes," said Smith.

Dylen Zetterberg pitched a complete game for the Rain and coach Smith was pleased with what he saw.

"Dylen probably pitched one of the best games I have ever seen her pitch," Smith said.

In the outfield Smith was happy to see how his crew was coming together. Both Nicole Brasher and Lela Perez made some great plays.

Perez made a game-saving catch against Hamilton to force an "international tie breaker," where runners are placed on second base at the start of each inning, to decide the game.

"Lela got a good leap on the ball and got it," said Smith.

Smith was happy with Kyla McDonald's play over the weekend. She went 3-4 in a couple of games.

"She is working at controlling the bat on slaps and bunts," Smith said.

Polson will be in the crosshairs of many teams at the state tourney. The Rain won the title last year and plan on repeating this year.

"We are going in with a little more confidence (than during the season). I think we will do fine," said Smith.

The Purple Rain and the rest of the 15 teams are waiting to see who they are paired up with in the first game, but at press time no times were set on the schedule. Coach Smith thinks they will be playing their first game on Friday night.

The Purple Rain has five returning players from last year's state title team — Zetterberg, Brasher, Brittany Jones, Jore' Noble and Lindsey Rafter.

Since the Splash tourney the Purple Rain have been practicing for two or three hours twice a week. As a team they are getting stronger all the time but still have some things to work on, according to Smith.

"I'm pleased with how we are putting the ball on the bat. We are forcing the opponent to put us out," said Smith.

Mentally the Rain are playing more relaxed than they have in the past and Smith said he reminds them they are playing to have fun. Smith said Brasher is coming around and becoming a good long-ball hitter.

"She is keeping her head and shoulders down. She is hitting the ball well," said Smith.

As a team the Rain have been batting close to .350 and Rafter has been hitting around .400 on the season.

"She (Rafter) listens to what we say and puts in a little extra time to make it work," Smith said.

Jones has also been catching the eye of Smith.

"She has really impressed me with her power and quickness," said Smith.

"We have the talent. A lot has to do with the mental part," Smith said of the upcoming state tourney.