10U Lil' Lakers take third at ASA state tourney

Courtesy of Kirk Murphy

The Polson Lil' Lakers 10 and under ASA softball team split four games to take third at the state tournament in Kalispell last weekend. The team won their first two contests against the Great Falls Selects and Ronan Orange and Black Attack, before falling against the eventual champions Billings Bulldogs and then the Glacier Emeralds.

Lakers 14, Great Falls Selects 1

The Lakers opened the 2008 state tournament against the Great Falls Selects. In the first inning the Lakers were threatening with the bases loaded, but the Selects pitcher made a nice defensive play and also recorded a timely strikeout allowing only one run for the Lakers. In the second inning the Lakers again got runners aboard but only scored two runs leaving two more stranded. In the third inning the Lakers blew this one wide open scoring eight runs on five hits and three walks, then scoring another three runs in the fourth all the while playing good defense and only allowing the Selects one run in the second inning. This one ended in the fourth inning with the Lakers up 14-1. Kylie Murphy recorded nine strikeouts in a solid pitching performance and offensively Jade Newman went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, Peyton Anderson went 2-for-4 with two singles, Kylie Murphy went 1-for-4 with a single and two walks, Sarah Rausch went 2-for-3 with two singles, Skyla Krantz went 2-for-3 with two singles and Chadelle Smith went 1-for-2 with a double and was hit by a pitch. The girls played a very good game defensively and really got their bats going when they needed to.

Lakers 13, Ronan Attack 6

The Lakers second game was against the Ronan Orange and Black Attack. This game was a battle all the way; both teams played their hearts out. It was tied up 1-1 after the first inning and then Ronan jumped out 5-2 after the second inning, the Lakers came right back scoring three runs in the third inning to knot the game at five. The Orange & Black Attack came right back with some aggressive base running and scored one in the top of the fourth inning to go up 6-5. The Lakers were down to their last at bat and just exploded with five hits and some good base running and scored eight runs to win the game 13-6. Kylie Murphy had another strong pitching performance recording seven strikeouts and also going 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk. Offensively Peyton Anderson got on base four times with three walks and a double, Sarah Rausch went 2-for-3 with a single and a double. The girls never quit, playing hard the whole game and really fighting for the win, I was extremely proud of their effort.

Billings Bulldogs 6, Lakers 3

The girls battled for all seven innings and held the Bulldogs scoreless in four of them and just giving up six total runs. But it wasn't enough as the Lakers just never got the bats going in this one scoring three runs in the sixth inning. Peyton Anderson went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double, Kylie Murphy went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, Sarah Rausch went 1-for-3 with a single. Murphy pitched against a good hitting Bulldog team recording seven strikeouts but the Lakers dropped a tough one 6-3 to the eventual state champs the Billings Bulldogs.

Glacier Emeralds 6, Lakers 1

The Lakers didn't play their best in their final game of the tournament and the Emeralds got the victory 6-1. The Lakers finished third at the state tournament against some really good teams. The girls worked very hard this year and really improved with each tournament they played, I am very proud of this group of girls. They really competed in each tournament they played this year and placed in all three, as coaches we couldn't ask for more than that.