Polson 12U finishes second in USA fastpitch softball tournament

The results of the entire Polson softball program from 8U to 16-18U is enough validation for 12U coach Jamie Hanson to know the future of the Polson softball program is in good hands.

With the 10U finishing third and the 12U finishing second, the future of the storied Polson softball program should be in contention for hardware in the future, according to Hanson.

The second place finish at the USA fastpitch state tournament Friday and Saturday in Great Falls was a culmination of his team’s hard work, Hansen said.

“The kids did a great job,” Hanson said. “That is due to their conditioning on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was very proud of the girls for working so hard and battling through the heat after sitting in tournaments that were in 60-degree weather and having to go over to Great Falls in the 99-degree weather.”

The preparation his team put in paid dividends as the Lil Lakers finished sixth before falling to the eventual state champions.

“They were prepared and they did a great job going 6-0 as we knocked out some of the Missoula and Helena teams,” Hanson said. “Our team’s good hitting gave (the state champion) all that they could handle. In the end, their goal was to play in the championship games and (our team) did that in every tournament.”

Hanson said he felt the program’s success starts at the top of the organization and trickles its way down.

“I said that earlier it all started with the senior class this year as they led by example and they’ve worked really hard,” Hanson said. “They were great role models for our younger kids.With the coaching staff leading the way and with Larry Smith there isn’t enough I can say about the man. He loves the game and it trickles down. He is very proud of those girls and that goes all the way down to the 8U. When you look at the program there are 200 kids playing fast-pitch softball. You see kids picking up their gloves for the first time and don’t necessarily know what to do with it. The parents are helping out with the kids and it is just awesome to see.”

The good news for Hanson is half of his team from this season will be back next year and he is getting several other members from the 10U team that just captured third in the USA fastpitch tournament.

“I am extremely proud of these girls, and their hard work and dedication they’ve shown has paid off,” Hanson said. “It goes to show that I am very proud of them. I would like to give a special thanks to all of the parents (involved). It’s a special family where everyone takes care of everything and (our camaraderie) is really an awesome thing.”

Hanson, whose team may travel to tournaments in Salinas, Calif. or in South Dakota, said he is looking forward to the team’s future.

“It’s going to be fun to see and like I said, it starts at the top and (winning) is about desire and dedication on all aspects,” Hanson said. “We needed to run the program with the commitment and heart of those girls. They go the extra mile. Even when the tournament is over, they go in and put in extra time and already are getting ready for next season.”

12U age division

Purple Wave (5-2), 2nd place

Mighty Maidens (1-2)

MT Avalanche-Hanninen (3-2)

MT Avalanche-Sammoury (1-2)

Bitterroot Sparks-Berning (2-2)

12U JO second championship

406 Playmakers-Nieto 12, Purple Wave 3

406 Playmakers (34-4), Purple Wave (31-8-2)?

Billings 013 53 – 12 12 2*

Polson 100 02 – 3 4 2*

Bella Paul, (4.67) Nikki Kendall and Mckenna Hanson. Brook Thompson and Aubrey Allison.

406 PLAYMAKERS-NIETO – Ashley Wik 2-4, Allison 1-4(ROE), Thompson 2-4, Paige Goodell 1-3(BB), Koral Perez 1-1(3BB), Lileigh Nicko 2-4(ROE), Emma Painter 1-3(BB), Cora Styles 2-3.

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

3B – Thompson. 2B – Thompson. RBIs – Thompson, Goodell, Nicko 6, Painter 3; Brown, Johnson, Maley. SB – Kendall, Hanson, Ward. (Su08Jul18gm53)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternative scoring criteria exists: PNGC=PN:1E/PW:5H,3E

first championship

406 Playmakers-Nieto 19, Purple Wave 2

Billings 05(14) – 19 16 1

Polson 20( 0 ) – 2 5 4

Brook Thompson and Aubrey Allison. Nikki Kendall, (3.33) Alexis Johnson and Mckenna Hanson.

406 PLAYMAKERS-NIETO – Mya Boos 2-3(BB), Ashley Wik 2-4, Allison 2-2(2BB), Thompson 4-4, Paige Goodell 2-4(ROE), Koral Perez 0-3(BB), Lileigh Nicko 1-3, Emma Painter 3-3, Cora Styles 0-2(BB,ROE) .

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

3B – Wik. 2B – Thompson 2, Nicko, Allison, Painter, Boos. RBIs – Boos 2, Wik 4, Allison 2, Thompson 2, Goodell 5, Painter 2, Cora Stiles 2; Pierre, Johnson. (Su08Jul18gm52)

Undefeated semifinal

Purple Wave 10, MT Avs-Gagner 6

Purple Wave (), Avs-Gagner (29-7-1)

Missoula 011 41 – 7 6 3*

Polson 111 7x – 10 11 8

Avery Starr, Jayden Gagner and Morgan Olsen. Nikki Kendall (7K,1W) and Mckenna Hanson. W – Kendall.

MT AVALANCHE-GAGNER – Samie Arndt 1-4(ROE), Brooke Schaffer 0-3(HB,ROE), Grace Hood 1-3, (BB,ROE,FC), Jayden Gagner 0-4(ROE), Starr 2-4, Brea Hewitt 0-3, Myleigh Kukay 2-3(FC), Morgen Olsen 0-3(2ROE), Maddie Petrino 0-2(HB,ROE).

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

2B – Starr, Arndt, Kukay; Ward. RBIs – Arndt 2, Schaffer, Starr, Hewitt; Hanson 2, Brown, Ward 2, West 2, Maley. SB – Johnson. (Sa07Jul18gm49)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) where alternative scoring exists: GC:MA:8H,12E/PW: 4H,6E

Purple Wave 7, MC Magic-Stewart 6

Butte 212 001 – 6 9 4

Polson 031 201 – 7 8 8

Ashby Lee and Brooke Badovina. Nikki Kendall (6K,4W) and Mckenna Hanson W – Kendall.

MINING CITY MAGIC-STEWART – Britny Stewart 1-4, Badovina 1-3, Gianna Liva 1-3, Kamber Leary 2-3, Cami Kaustaman 1-2(BB), Madi Jonart 0-2(BB), Taylor Diakos 1-3, Lee 2-3, Harlee Muffich 0-1(2BB).

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 1-4(2FC), Hanson 1-4(FC), Tyneesha Brown 3-4, Caitlyn Ward 1-3(SF), Fayrene Pierre 0-3(3ROE), Alexis Johnson 1-2(SH), Idella West 1-3(ROE,FC), Carli Maley 0-3(FC), Kailey Smith 0-2(HB,FC).

3B – Brown. 2B – Stewart, Lee; Ward. RBIs – Jonart 2, Lee; Kendall, Brown, Ward 2, West 2, Smith. SB – Kaustaman; West, Johnson 2. (Sa07Jul18gm44)

Purple Wave 16, MT Warriors-Black 3

Polson 932 20 – 16 13 2

Helena 201 0x – 3 3 9

Nikki Kendall (5K,4W) and Mckenna Hanson. Isabella S. (4K,4W) and Erin H, Riley H.

POLSON PURPLE WAVE – Kendall 1-2(2BB), Hanson 4-4, Tyneesha Brown 1-4(D3K,ROE), Caitlyn Ward 3-4, Fayrene Pierre 1-3(BB), Alexis Johnson 0-4(2ROE), Idella West 1-3, Carli Maley 0-2(BB), Kailey Smith 2-3.

3B – Hanson. 2B – Ward, Pierre. RBIs – Isabelle S, Riley H; Kendall, Hanson 2, Brown 2, Ward 3, Pierre 2, Smith 3. SB – Kendall, Hanson 2, Ward, Johnson, West, Maley. (Sa07Jul18gm34)

Purple Wave 10, Emeralds-Allen 7

Polson 002 107 0 – 10 12 2

Kalispell 104 020 x – 7 7 3

Nikki Kendall (5K,4W) and Mckenna Hanson. Ella Farrell and Cazz Rankosky. W – Kendall.

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

KALISPELL EMERALDS-ALLEN – Kenadie Goudette 0-2(ROE,2BB), Allen 2-4, Rankosky 1-4, Farrell 1-2(BB), Jocelyn Browning 1-3, Paishance Haller 1-2(BB), Kaytlin Smith 0-3(FC), Jaidyn Pevey 1-3, Karah Barker 0-3(FC).

3B – Ward, Smith. 2B – Farrell, Allen. RBIs – Hanson, Ward 3, Johnson 2, Paul, Smith 3; Allen, Farrell, Browning, Haller, Kay.Smith, Pevey. SB – Hanson 2, Brown, Johnson, Paul; Goudette. (Fr06Jul18gm18)

Purple Wave 10, Avs-Sammoury 3

Ava Philbrick, (3) Isa Bates, (3.33) Shanel Manuel (4K,2W) and Sadie McGuinn, (3) Kadynce Couture. Nikki Kendall (6K,6W) and Mckenna Hanson.

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

MT AVALANCHE-SAMMOURY – McGuinn 0-1 (2BB), Logan Baack 1-3(ROE), Kason Page 0-1(2BB), Kaydence Couture 0-1(BB), Manuel 0-1.

3B – Hanson. 2B – Kendall, Hanson. RBIs – Kendall 2, Hanson, Brown, Ward, Johnson, West 2, Maley; SadieJo Nei. SB – Hanson, Brown, Johnson 4; McGuinn 2, Page, Couture, Baack. (Fr06Jul18gm10)

Avs-Hanninen 20, Mighty Maidens 3

Avs-Hanninen (31-11)

Charlee Hoover (6K,1H,5W), (4) Ashley Mitchell (2K) and Kenna Campbell. Sarah Stanger-Gardipe (2K,4W) and Emma Stanger-Gardipe.

MT AVALANCHE-HANNINEN – Payton Smith 1-2(BB)

RONAN MIGHTY MAIDENS – Tyariah Morigeau 1-2(BB,SB,1R), Lourasia Weatherwax 0-3(ROE,1R), Kaleigh Benson 0-1(2BB,SB,1R), Sarah S-G 1-2 (RBI), Bella Dubeil 0-1(D3K,BB), Emma S-G 0-2, Kaydance Santos 0-1(BB), Sadie Michaud 0-2, MaryRose Gardipe 0-2. (Sa07Jul18gm41)

Mighty Maidens 17, Sparks-Berning 3

Mighty Maidens 14, Belgrade-Green 10

Sparks-Dypwick 11, Mighty Maidens 2

Maidens eliminate Sparks (see above)

Sparks-Berning 8, MT Avs-Sammoury 5

SPARKS – Sophia Forgey (2RBI/6IP: 7K)

AVS – Shanel Manuel 3H (1.1IP: 3K)

Emeralds-Anderson 10, Sparks-Berning 6

Sophia Forgey (1IP: 1K)

Sparks-Berning 14, MC Havoc 0

Sophia Forgey of Arlee threw four innings of shutout ball that included a half dozen strikeouts.

406 Playmakers 8, Avs-Hanninen 7

Avs-Hanninen 11, MT Warriors-Black 3

Avs-Hanninen 20, Mighty Maidens 3 (see above)

MCM-Stewart 18, MT Avs-Hanninen 13

Avs-Hanninen 12, EC Heat-Brown 2

Sparks-B over Avs-S (see above)

Avs-Sammoury 14, Manhattan Fastpitch 0

Wave over Avs-S (see above)

acronym key:

MT Avs (Montana Avalanche, Missoula), MCM (Mining City Magic, Butte), GF (Great Falls), MV (Mission Valley)

Third place

Belgrade-Green 12, Lil Lakers 11

Lil Lakers 6, Laurel Freedom 5

Lil Lakers 13, Bozeman Stealers-Emmert 1

Lil Lakers 13, Aftershock 1

Lil Lakers 12, GF Selects-Thompson 7

Belgrade-Green 10, Lil Lakers 6

Lil Lakers 15, GF Selects-Marr 0

14U age division

MT Avs-Craun (5-0), 1st place

MT Avs-Ries (4-2), 3rd place

MT Xtreme 7, Lakers 0

Xtreme (23-6-2), Lakers (20-3)

Laurel 101 012 2 – 7 9 0*

Polson 000 000 0 – 0 1 7*

Katelyne Druyvestein (8K), (7) Turquoise Pierre and Kallie Finkbeiner. Jess Morgan (9K) and Ashley Dunkerley.

POLSON LAKERS – Anna Vert 0-2(BB), Ellie Thiel 1-2, Finkbeiner 0-2(HB).

MONTANA XTREME – Morgan 4(RBI), Makayla Harper 3(BB,RBI), Emily Egger 3(RBI)

(Sa07Jul18gm14)

Asterisk (*) denotes stat variant(s) among application of alternate scoring criteria: XGC=X:15H/L:2E

Emmanuel Halos 5, Lakers 2

Billings 104 000 0 – 5 9 0

Polson 000 101 0 – 2 4 1*

Ellie Thiel (*3K), (4) Katelyne Druyvestein (3K) and Kallie Finkbeiner. Kennedy Venner (10K) and Jade Cockroft.

EMMANUEL HALOS – Venner 2H, Olivia Ruff 2H, Sydnie Newell 2H(RBI), Madison Orelup (4RBI).

POLSON LAKERS – Anna Vert 0-3(BB), Druyvestein 0-3(HB), Thiel 1-3, Finkbeiner 1-2(HB), Turquoise Pierre 1-2(2B,BB,RBI), Gianna Fyant 1-3.

(Fr06Jul18gm6)