Mariners face tough teams, go 0-2 at state

The Mission Valley Mariners got into a hole early at the state tourney, suffering a one-run loss in extra innings before losing their second game to the defending state champs.

If there was any consolation, though, the Bitterroot Bucs, who edged the Mariners by one run in the district tourney, went on to win the state title, proving that the Mariners could compete with the best of them.

The team dropped a tough one, 7-6, to Glendive in 10 innings in their first game Thursday which put the team in a hard spot.

Brandon Thompson took the loss after pitching nine innings and striking out three. He issued two walks but gave up 13 hits.

Jake Bosley led the team that day, going 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, while Tim Gauthier was 2-for-5, including a double.

Thompson was also 2-for-5, Chris Brown was 2-for-3 with an RBI, Tyler Trudeau went 2-for-5 and had an RBI, and John Rausch was 2-for-5.

Tim Rausch came in in the 10th inning to pitch, but the Blue Devils scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning.

The team then had to face the defending state champion Gallatin Valley Outlaws, and fell 16-2, as the Outlaws scored seven runs in the eighth inning, including a grand slam, to put the game out of reach.

Tyler Trudeau took the mound for the team and pitched through seven innings before the team went through three pitchers in the eighth inning, hoping to stop the Outlaws' hitting.

Bosley and Trudeau finished with an RBI each, and Thompson and Brown both were 1-for-3 at the plate. Jake Whetzel had the best day, going 1-for-2.

However, the team finished with 50 wins on the year, one of the best performances in recent memory and a regular-season record.

The team will finish up the season by giving away a 1950 Chevy coupe at Polson Festival Days. Tickets are only $10, and can be purchased from any team member, or are available at most Ronan and St. Ignatius banks, and at the Leader offices in Ronan and Polson.