Mariners drop league opener

POLSON — The Missoula Mavericks traveled to Polson for a nine-inning nonconference game against the Mission Valley Mariners and came away with a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Missoula’s Austin Bohnsack threw a complete game, striking out nine Mariners while allowing just two-earned runs.

The Mavericks got on the board early. Missoula scored one run in the first, fourth and fifth innings to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Mission Valley would threaten the lead in the bottom of the seventh. T.J. Olson, who went 3 for 4 on the day, belted a two-run home run to bring the Mariners within one.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, that’s all Bohnsack would allow as he closed out the game for the win.

Bradley Pichler was 2 for 4 at the plate for the Mariners, and Jacob Harrod had their sixth hit with his 1 for 4 effort.

Ryan Pablo got the starting nod for Mission Valley but left the game in the fourth inning with his team down 2-0.

Harrod came in for relief and allowed one run in his five innings of work.

Missoula 100 110 000 — 3 6 2

Mission Valley 000 000 200 — 2 6 2

Austin Bohnsack. Ryan Pablo, Jacob Harrod (4) and Kellen Hoyt.

W — Austin Bohnsack L — Ryan Pablo.

MISSOULA — Slade Heggen 0-4, Matt McHugh 1-3, Trevor Dickey 1-5, Zanon Fullbright 0-3, TR Rheinschmidt 2-2, Travis Zander 1-4, Anthony Contonio 0-4, Jackson King 0-2, Shane Olsen 1-2, Kip Vetos 0-2.

MISSION VALLEY — Brennen Andrews 0-4, Bradley Pichler 2-4, Zeke Webster-Yaqui 0-3, TJ Olson 3-4, Bransen Krebs 0-4, Ryan Pablo 0-3, Kellen Hoyt 0-3, Jacob Harrod 1-2, Trevor Paro 0-3.2B — Rheinschmidt, Pichler. HR — Olson. RBIs — Dickey, Rheinschmidt, King; Olson 2.