Mission Valley Mariners get ready for season-opener

The Mission Valley Mariners hope their season opener against Kalispell AA will feature multiple story lines about debuts.

The M’s will host Kalispell AA for their home opener Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mariners’ Stadium in Polson.

The Mariners will usher in a new era with manager Kaileb Gillingham, who has replaced the popular and well-received coach Jami Hanson. Hanson stepped down after coaching the Mariners for 17 seasons.

Under Gillingham, the 2017 Mission Valley squad began its season with a 3-1 record with victories over Kootenai Valley, Kalispell AA, and the Bitterroot Bucs.

“How the kids have played has really showed me what they are made of,” Gillingham said. “They responded well with the loss to AA Missoula. They have come out and played their hearts out, and didn’t roll over and die. They really showed that they are willing to do whatever it takes.”

Gillingham said he is “excited” for his team.

“I am super excited about it and there is nothing like playing at home while you are a manager and our team gets to show of their field,” Gillingham said. “It’s great to be able to play in front of your home crowd. Not only for me but it’s the kids I am more excited for.”

Though the M’s are currently 3-1 Gillingham said his transition from assistant manager to manager is “rough.”

“Its been rough because we’ve been losing some kids,” Gillingham said. “As a manager, my assistant coaches and I still have to find a way to win with the kids that we have. I feel like we will work together to find a way.”

As of press time, Gillingham said he doesn’t have anything special planned for opening day.

“We don’t have anything that I know of yet,” Gillingham said. “I will have to talk to my coaches and see if we can figure out something and do something for the crowd. I do believe that most of the kids from the Mission Valley Mariners’ camp are going to be at that game and hopefully they will all show up.”

Gillingham said he expects the game with Kalispell AA to be “intense.”

“They are Double-A and they should be pretty intense,” Gillingham said. “If we all show up and play, it should be a close game. Kalispell is pretty solid and well coached.”