Softball roundup, July 1
Purple Wave gets fourth
HELENA - The 12U Polson Purple Wave rolled through the opening pool play stage of the Capital City Classic, winning four straight games.
The Purple Wave didn't allow a run in their first four games. They started out by beating the Orange and Black Attack 5-0. Then they thumped the Electric City Heat 21-0. Then they defeated the Helena Titans 7-0 to advance to championship play, seeded in the top bracket for the tournament. They handled the Billings Shockers 6-0 in the first round but then ran into a buzzsaw. They lost to eventual champions Billings Fury 7-2 to take fourth in the tournament. The Purple Wave will head to the Kalispell Tournament next weekend in Kalispell.
-Sports editor Brandon Hansen
Ronan Orange and Black Attack place sixth
HELENA - The 12U Ronan Orange and Black Attack rattled off two victories in the Capital City Classic to place sixth in the tournament last weekend. It was a match up of Lake County to start off the tournament by the Polson Purple Wave who came out on top with the 5-0 victory. Then they racked up a 15-1 victory over the Helena Titans. Sam Coleman was on the mound for the Orange and Black Attack and allowed just two hits the entire game.
They had a similar score in their third game, beating the Electric City Heat Black squad 14-3. In the first elimination round, Ronan lost 10-9 to the Frenchtown Fury and ending the weekend for the Orange and Black Attack. They'll head over to the Fourth of July Shootout next weekend in Spokane, Wash.
-Sports editor Brandon Hansen
Raptors get tie
HELENA - The 16U Ronan Raptors tied the Missoula Madness in pool play during the Capital City Class but suffered three other setbacks during the weekend.
They ended up getting knocked out of the tournament in the elimination round by the team they tied, the Montana Madness.
The Raptors started the weekend off with a 13-3 loss to the Glacier Emeralds, and then a close defeat to the Billings Bulldogs 5-3.
They bounced back their third game to tie 1-1 with the Montana Madness and when they matched up in the elimination round, they drew the Madness again.
It wasn't the same result though as the Raptors fell 7-3 to end the weekend.
They'll head to the Fourth of July Shootout next weekend in Spokane, Wash.
-Sports editor Brandon Hansen
Purple Rain falls in
elimination round
HELENA - The 16U Purple Rain had a hot start in the Capital City Classic, winning their first three games of pool play.
The Purple Rain defeated Havre 10-1, Bozeman 10-3 and the Flathead Monsters 8-2 in pool play.
Ashley Johnson had a good tournament, going 8-for-13 in the three spot of the lineup. Kinley Pope went 6-for-11.
They drew the Flathead Monsters in the elimination part of the tournament and surprisingly lost 8-5 to end the weekend.
Polson fell behind early and even though they mounted a comeback, it was too little, too late.
Four errors also didn't help their cause.
The Purple Rain was playing without Riley Kenny, who was hurt in the last tournament but is expected to be back for next weekend.
Polson will head to the Emeralds Tournament this next weekend in Kalispell.
-Sports editor Brandon Hansen