Purple Rain goes 3-2 at state tourney

HELENA — The Purple Rain didn't repeat as state champs this year but did well at the ASA State tourney last weekend, making it a couple of games away from the championship.

Polson started things off right by knocking off the Missoula Osprey 10-1 in their first game on Friday. The Rain had a stellar fourth inning scoring all 10 of their runs.

"We just had a huge fourth inning," said head coach Larry Smith.

Dylen Zetterberg pitched for the Rain and had three strike outs, no walks, and only gave up four hits.

"She had good pitches and kept the ball down and defense really helped out," said Smith.

Next on Friday the Purple Rain faced the Helena Silver Storm and the Storm outlasted the Rain. Polson fell 10-5 and had their first loss in a double elimination tourney. Nicole Brasher pitched for the Rain and had four strike outs. Polson jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning but committed a couple errors that allowed the Storm to pick up some runs.

Polson had to finish the game minus Brittany Jones after she was hit in the face while trying to catch a throw from center field. Jones was blinded by the sun and didn't see the ball as it collided with her right cheek bone.

"I thought it hit her square in the eye. We sent her to the hospital right away," Smith said.

Jones would be fine after her trip to the emergency room and returned to play the next day with a nice shiner to sport for the remainder of the tourney.

On Saturday the Rain battled it out with the Diamond Backs and Polson topped them 6-1. Zetterberg again showed her dominance by striking out six and going 2-3 at the plate. Lindsey Rafter also went 2-3 against the Diamond Backs.

"Our top three batters hit well. We just kind of took care of business (against the Diamond Backs)," Smith said.

After knocking off the Diamond Backs, Polson faced the Electric City Heat out of Great Falls and again took care of business, beating them 9-4. Nicole Brasher went 3-3 with four RBIs.

"Brasher just got on this pitcher and did really well," said Smith.

Lela Perez also went 3-3 and batted in two. Zetterberg was on the mound again and gave up six hits but had seven strikeouts.

On Sunday the Rain faced off against the Bozeman Stealers and Bozeman got the best of Polson, 5-4. The Purple Rain had the game under control and was up going into the bottom of the sixth but committed four errors, and Bozeman picked up four runs, putting Polson behind 5-4. Zetterberg only gave up three hits but the errors in the sixth proved too much to overcome.

"They (Bozeman) had timely hits in that inning. Zetterberg did all she could do," Smith said. "We had this game under control."

McDonald went 3-4 with two batted in and Zetterberg was 2-4 with one run scored.

"They are doing a nice job for us at the first two slots," said Smith.

Overall, the Rain finished up their regular season 19-11 and 3-2 at the state tournament.

"I thought we did very well. We went 3-2 and got to play on Sunday with the chance to win it (first place) again," said Smith.

McDonald finished the tourney hitting 7-17 with six RBIs.

"She is a heads-up player," Smith said.

Rafter wrapped up the state tourney scoring seven, getting four stolen bases and going 5-15 at the plate.

"She is faster than people think," said Smith.

The Purple Rain heads to Post Falls, ID this weekend to play in the regional tourney. Coach Smith is looking forward to being competitive against teams from other states and to see just how they match up. Friday's game time and opponent was not available by press time.

Both the 16U Purple Rain and the 14U Lakers will be traveling to Oregon to play in the Summer Nationals Invite held in the Portland area.