12U preps for state after capturing Emerald title

The Polson 12U softball team manager Jamie Hanson has attributed his team’s dedication to the success his team’s experienced this season.

The 12U team has captured a total of two tournament titles and has catapulted themselves to be in a good position when they enter the upcoming state tournament.

They even have more confidence going into Friday afternoon’s state tournament after capturing the 12U Emerald Gold Division championship.

After being blanked by the Kaizen Prospects in their pool play finale, the Purple Wave went to work early when leadoff batter Nikki Kendall singled to open the game, advanced into scoring position during subsequent batter groundouts and then plated when Caitlyn Ward singled her home.

In the top half of the third, bottom of the order batter Idella West and leadoff Kendall hit back-t0-back singles. Tyneesha Brown would plate West on her RBI single, while Ward and middle of the order batter Fayrene Pierre brought the other runners home to stake Polson to a 4-0 advantage.

After being shut out for three innings, the Kaizen loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth, then cut the lead in half with a two RBI single. But the Purple Wave were able to extract themselves from the inning without incurring further damage.

Polson would counter their lost runs by plating another pair to recoup the margin. But the Kaizen Prospects would mount a rally in the bottom half of the seventh by loading the bases once again with a combination of hitting benefitted by fielding foibles. Three runs would cross the plate to pull Calgary within a run with the tying run in scoring position and the go ahead run on the basepath with two out. But the golden glove of shortstop Fayrene Pierre would snare the ball to snuff the rally and seal the deal for another championship trophy.

“They have dedicated their season to be in there and they are a team that is working together,” Hanson said. “Those kids are doing a great job of it. They’ve stuck it out through tough weather over in Butte and went 6-0 in pool play in their tournament and there were a couple of tough games. It is the little things they do to win and I am very proud of how they play.”

Two other key components to the 12U’s team success is defense and high standards.

“The biggest thing that we are setting is higher expectations,” Hanson said. “They know what the expectations are and the bar is set very high.”

The other fact that makes the 12U team a tough out is Hansen and his coaching staff’s attention to detail on defense.

“The biggest thing on defense is that we are fielding and catching balls, and defensively that is keeping us in a lot of our games,” Hanson said. “Our pitcher is coming around and our bats are hot. When you have the two of those going at the same time, that is a tough combination.”

The 12U team’s success has set the team’s standard high moving forward as every player on the team is a prospective future Lady Pirate softball player that will feed into a stockpiled future class.

“Honestly, the talent level is there and I can see a state title (at the high school level) if the girls make a run at a title this year,” Hanson said. “We’ve had some rough innings and it has cost them a few runs. It’s not because of their lack of work ethic. They are a good group of kids and we have a solid group of kids coming back.”

10U age division

10U SMASH championship

#1 Emeralds-Allen 3, #2 Lil Lakers 2

#2 Lil Lakers 14, #3 CF Lil Rebs-Mann 4

Emeralds-Allen 8, Lil Lakers 4

Lil Lakers 10, C-Town Lil Rebs-Mann 4

Lil Lakers 8, Mini M-A-C 0

#1 Emeralds-Allen 9, #5 Mini MAC 5 (semi)

#5 Mini MAC 14, #4 Emeralds-Nyman 7

Emeralds-Nyman 11, Mini MAC 7

Emeralds-Allen 9, Mini MAC 0

Mini MAC-Incashola

12U age division

After being blanked by the Kaizen Prospects in their pool play finale, the Purple Wave went to work early when leadoff batter Nikki Kendall singled to open the game, advanced into scoring position during subsequent batter groundouts and then plated when Caitlyn Ward singled her home.

In the top half of the third, bottom of the order batter Idella West and leadoff Kendall hit back-t0-back singles. Tyneesha Brown would plate West on her RBI single, while Ward and middle of the order batter Fayrene Pierre brought the other runners home to stake Polson to a 4-0 advantage.

After being shut out for three innings, the Kaizen loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth, then cut the lead in half with a two RBI single. But the Purple Wave were able to extract themselves from the inning without incurring further damage.

Polson would counter their lost runs by plating another pair to recoup the margin. But the Kaizen Prospects would mount a rally in the bottom half of the seventh by loading the bases once again with a combination of hitting benefitted by fielding foibles. Three runs would cross the plate to pull Calgary within a run with the tying run in scoring position and the go ahead run on the basepath with two out. But the golden glove of shortstop Fayrene Pierre would snare the ball to snuff the rally and seal the deal for another championship trophy.

12U SMASH championship

#3 Purple Wave 6, #1 Kaizen Prospects 5

Polson 103 020 0 – 6 7 8

Calgary 000 200 3 – 5 4 2

Carla Burge (2K), (4) Sadie Kahl (2K,1W), (7) Maddie Belden (1K,1W) and Chloe Kinghorn, (4) Jenna Gfunk. Nikki Kendall (8K,6W) and Mckenna Hanson. W – Kendall.

12U POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 2-2(2BB), Hanson 2-4, Tyneesha Brown 1-4, Caitlyn Ward 1-4(ROE), Fayrene Pierre 0-3(ROE), Alexis Johnson 0-3, Bella Paul 0-3, Carli Maley 0-3, Idella West 1-3.

14U KAIZEN PROSPECTS-BELDEN – Gfunk 0-3, Anna Elliott 1-4, Kinghorn 0-3, Katy Funk 0-3, Cadley Fauetl 2-3, Kahl 0-3, Belden 1-3, Burge 0-1, Em Friedt 0-1, Claire Mamlot 0-1, Katie Saunders 0-2.

RBIs – Fauetl 2, Friedt, Mamlot, Saunders; Brown, Ward 3, Pierre.

deployment = 3b “Carlos,” ss “the Dream,” 2b “Flip-Flop,”1b “Fearless,” p “Famous Jase,” c “Psycho,” lf “Fuzzy Donut,” cf , rf

#3 Purple Wave 12, #2 Emeralds-Allen 1 (semi)

Polson 318 00 – 12 9 1

Kalispell 000 1x – 1 4 4

Nikki Kendall (3K,3W) and Mckenna Hanson. Ella Farrell (1K,4W), (3.33) Kenadie Goudette (2K,0W) and Cazz Rankosky.

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 2-3(ROE), Hanson 1-1(2BB), Tyneesha Brown 1-2(BB,FC), Caitlyn Ward 1-3, Fayrene Pierre 2-3, Alexis Johnson 1-2(BB), Bella Paul 1-2(HB), Carli Maley 0-2(SH,ROE), Kailey Smith 0-2, Idella West 0-1.

KYSA EMERALDS-ALLEN – Goudette 2-2, Zoey Allen 0-1(BB), Rankosky 1-2, Farrell 1-1(BB), Jocelyn Browning 0-2, Paishance Haller 0-1, Kaytlin Smith 0-1, Jaidyn Pevey 0-1, Karah Barker 0-1, Kyleigh Burgoyne 0-1, Omni Wilhelm 0-0(BB).

RBIs – Brown 2, Ward 3, Pierre 2, Maley 2, Smith. SB – Ward, Pierre; Goudette, Allen 2. Runs – Kendall 2, Hanson 2, Brown 2, Ward, Pierre, Johnson, Paul 2, Maley; Allen.

#3 Purple Wave 5, #6 MT Halos 2

Helena 001 001 – 2 5 1*

Polson 004 01x – 5 9 2*

Kathryn Emmert (1K), (4) Katryn Selisker and Taylor Sayers. Nikki Kendall (11K,3W) and Mckenna Hanson.

MONTANA HALOS – Emmert *2-3, Selisker 1-3, Paige S 1-3, Mackenzie Loyng 1-3.

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 2-3, Hanson 1-2(BB), Tyneesha Brown 2-2(HB), Caitlyn Ward 1-3, Fayrene Pierre 1-3, Alexis Johnson 1-3, Kailey Smith 1-2

2B – Emmert 2; Hanson. RBIs – Loyng; Hanson, Ward, Johnson 3. SB – Kendall, Hanson.

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternate play scoring exists between opposing teams:

HHGC=H:6H,3E/P:7H,1E

Kaizen Prospects 4, Purple Wave 0

Kaizen Prospects (31-19)

Polson 000 00 – 0 4 4

Calgary 010 12 – 4 6 3

Carla Burge, (5) Maddie Belden and Chloe Kinghorn, (5) Jenna Gfunk. Bella Paul (3K,3W), (4.67) Nikki Kendall and Mckenna Hanson.

PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 1-3, Hanson *1-3, Tyneesha Brown 1-3(SB), Caitlyn Ward *0-2(SB), Kailey Smith *1-1(HB), JaJa Nichols 0-1(BB,ROE).

KAIZEN PROSPECTS – Em Friedt 1-2(2B,2RBI), Chloe Kinghorn1-3, Sadie Kahl 0-1 (SF,RBI), Carla Burge 1-1, Claire Mamlot 1-2 (RBI), Maddie Belden 1-2, Anna Elliott 1-2.

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternate play scoring exists: Hanson 2H(vs1B+ROE), Ward 1H(PWiS=ROE), Smith 0H(CKPGC=ROE)

Purple Wave 22, C-Town Rebs 3

Polson 382 90 – 22 11 3

C-Falls 012 0x – 3 4 11

Alexis Johnson (3K,3W) and Mckenna Hanson. #9 Madison , (2.33) #18 Sidnee and #11 Madison.

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Nikki Kendall 2-4, Hanson 3-4, Tyneesha Brown 0-3(3ROE,HB), Caitlyn Ward 1-3(HB), Fayrene Pierre 1-3(BB), Johnson 1-2(BB), Idella West 1-3(FC), Bella Paul 0-2(BB,ROE), Carli Maley 1-2(BB), Kailey Smith 1-3(ROE), Jaja Nichols 0-1(2BB,ROE)

C-TOWN REBELS – #9 Madison 1-2, #4 Ally 0-1(BB), #14 Sophie R. 0-2(ROE), #10 Kyrah T. 1-2, #18 Sidnee B. 1-2, #12 Haden 1-1

3B – Ward. RBIs – Kendall 2, Hanson 2, Brown, Ward, Pierre, Johnson 2, West 2, Maley, Smith, Nichols 3; #4 Ally, #14 Sophie. SB – Kendall, Hanson, Brown 2, Pierre. (Sa30Jun18gm1pool)

Purple Wave 8, Emeralds-Anderson 5

Kalispell 220 1 – 5 1 3

Polson 008 x – 8 8 2

Maura Miller, (2.67) Avery Anderson (1K) and Laynee Vessar. Nikki Kendall (3K) and Mckenna Hanson.

KALISPELL EMERALDS-ANDERSON – Emma Cooke 0-1(HB), Maura Miller 0-1(BB), Anderson 0-0(HB,BB), Vessar 0-1(HB), Ellie Eve 0-1(HB), Kyrah Farrington 1-2(2RBI), Kaidyn Lake 0-2(ROE), Emily Pedron 0-0(HB,BB), Daytona Schuman 0-1(HB).

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 2-2(2RBI,HB), Hanson 2-3(RBI,SB), Tyneesha Brown 0-1(2BB), Caitlyn Ward 1-2(RBI), Fayrene Pierre 1-2, Idella West 1-2(RBI,SB), Bella Paul 1-2(RBI).

(Fr29Jun18)

#1 Kaizen Prospects 11 , #5 Ronan Rebels 1

Kaizen Prospects (33-19)

Ronan 100 0 – 1 3 5

Calgary 640 1 – 11 9 1

RONAN REBELS – Kaydance Santos 0-2(FC), Jossalyn White 0-2(ROE,SB,1R), Lettie Umphrey 1-2, Izzy Evans 1-2(RBI), Shanel Manuel 0-1, Mira Corum 0-1, Sydney Taylor 0-2, Brogan Youngren 0-1(BB), Hanna Lytton 0-2, Ally Luedtke 1-1.

14U CALGARY KAIZEN PROSPECTS BELDEN – Jenna 0-1(2BB,2RBI), Chloe 3-3, Kate 1-2, Carley 2-3, Sadie 1-2, Carla 1-2(2B,RBI).

(Su01Jul18gm2brkt)

#5 Ronan Rebels 14, #4 Kaizen 3

12U Kaisen (40-8)

RONAN 345 2 – 14 12 1

CALGARY 002 1 – 3 2 2

Shanel Manuel (2K) and Lettie Umphrey. Kaylee S. (1K), (3) Reagan K (1K) and catcher.

RONAN REBELS – Kaydance Santos (BB), Lettie Umphrey 2(BB,4RBI), Izzy Evans 2(3RBI), Manuel 3, Sydney Taylor (2RBI),

12U CALGARY KAIZEN BURRILL –

12U Calgary Kaizen 7, Ronan Rebels 4

Ronan Rebels 11, Fury 1

Emeralds-Allen 3, Ronan Rebels 1

(Fr29Jun18)

12U Ronan Rebels-Youngren

14U age division

14U SMASH championship

#2 Lakers 9, #5 Kaizen- 8

Kaizen (33-10)

Calgary 120 130 10 – 8 17 3

Polson 400 211 01 – 9 16 8

Ellie Thiel (3K), (5.67) Turquoise Pierre, (2K) Katelyn Druyvestein and Kallie Finkbeiner . Amy Penner, Jayden Segstro, Brooklyn Knoch

CALGARY KAIZEN – Taylor Poole 4H, Leah Allen-Muller (BB), Ashley McNees (BB), Brooklyn Muir (BB)

POLSON LAKERS – Finkbeiner 4-

RBIs – McNees 3, Muir 2; Finkbeiner 4.

#2 Lakers 3, #3 Breeze 2 (semi)

Flathead 020 000 0 – 2 9 0

Polson 200 000 1 – 3 10 1

Emma Anderson (5K) and catcher. Katelyne Druyvestein (3K) and Kallie Finkbeiner.

FLATHEAD BREEZE – Anderson 2H(RBI), Kenna Vanorny 2H(BB,RBI), Alli Kernan (BB)

POLSON LAKERS – Finkbeiner 3H(2RBI), Gianna Fyant (BB)

#2 Lakers 14, #7 C-Falls Rebels 7

Lakers 8, Calgary Kaizen 5

Miranda Wiedener, (3.33) AJ Smith Brooklyn Knoch and catcher. Katelyne Druyvestein, ( ) Gianna Fyant and Kallie Finkbeiner.

CALGARY KAIZEN – Storm Edwards (BB), Leah Allen-Muller (4RBI)

POLSON LAKERS – Finkbeiner 3 (3RBI), Turquoise Pierre 2, Fyant 3, SaVanna Carpentier (3RBI)

Lakers 16, C-Falls Rebels 2

Lakers 5, Flathead Breeze 1

Breeze (5-7)

Polson 000 500 – 5 11 1

Kalispell 000 01x – 1 9 3

Ellie Thiel (2K) and Kallie Finkbeiner. Sammie Labrum, (5) Emma Anderson and catcher.

POLSON LAKERS – Anna Vert (BB), Katelyne Druyvestein 2, Thiel (BB), Turquoise Pierre (BB), Gianna Fyant 2, Aubrey Marshall 1. (Fr29Jun18)

#3 Flathead Breeze 13, #6 Ronan Outlaws 5

Edmonton Sherwood Park Storm 12, Ronan Outlaws 0

Ronan Outlaws 8, Bitterroot Sparks-McCormick 6

Libby 10, Ronan Outlaws 9