Polson wins two games at Western Nationals
Samantha Rensvold winds up. Polson's pitcher not only had a successful season, she's also racked up some post-season accomplishments. (Bob Gunderson photo)
Facing up against teams from around the nation with far bigger enrollments than their own, Polson showed they are a softball hotbed at the 18U Western Nationals. The tournament fielded 17 teams at Delta Park in Portland, Ore., over the week of July 24-30.
The Lady Pirates won two games with strong showings by multiple players. McKenna Hanson hit over .500 with two home runs, four doubles, and seven RBI. Teammate Maddie Moultray hit in the .400s in the tournament with a triple, a double, and three RBI, while three other Polson batters hit in the .300s.
Polson fell in its first game to Bridgetown 4-3 despite a spirited comeback on Tuesday, July 25. The Lady Pirates led 1-0 through the first three innings before their opponent had a four-run rally. Polson answered back with a run in the fourth and fifth.
Hansen had two hits with a double and two stolen bases, while Kailey Smith and Olivia Jore each had two hits and a double apiece. Avery Starr, Samantha Rensvold and Maddie Moultray combined in the circle to give up just five Bridgetown hits.
Against the Oregon Wild on Wednesday, July 26, Polson fell 16-7 despite two RBI from Hanson and Rensvold. They did, however, pick up their first tournament victory, defeating the Vancouver Patriots 9-6.
Rensvold struck out six for Polson, while Moultray struck out another five in relief. Hanson had a home run and two RBI, while Moultray had a triple, double, and drove in a run, and Tyneesha Brown drove in two. Vancouver was held to six hits in the matchup and couldn’t overcome Polson jumping to a 6-3 lead.
On Thursday, July 27, the Aloha Breeze downed the Lady Pirates 8-3 despite five strikeouts from pitcher Avery Starr and a two-RBI multi-hit performance from Hanson.
Polson did thump the Laramie Lightning 9-1 on Friday, July 28, jumping out to an 8-0 lead through three innings and finishing with 11 hits as a team. Rensvold struck out five in a complete game, while Hanson had a home run and drove in a run. Kailey Smith drove in two runs, while Starr scored a run with her bat, as did Jore, Brown, and Emmaleigh Smith.
Othello defeated Polson 8-2 despite a two-double performance by Hansen. Eleven hits by the Northwest Elite squad from Washington proved too much. The Pirates would also fall to the Aloha Breeze 9-1 on Friday, with Starr getting a double and Jore getting a double and driving in a run.
Veterans Memorial Classic
The 10th Annual Veterans Memorial Classic featured numerous Mission Valley athletes, and several made a name for themselves in the all-star showcase on Aug. 4-5 in Belgrade.
Polson softball coach Jami Hanson led the Army team, while Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball coach Shane Reum led the Marine team. The Marines finished 3-3 overall, while Army was 1-3.
Polson’s Mckenna Hanson was 8-for-9 in the tournament with two doubles and an RBI. MAC’s Jerny Crawford was 5-for-9 with two doubles and drove in a run. Rheid Crawford of MAC had an RBI in the matchup.
The Marines and Army faced off twice and each snagged a victory: 6-3 for the Marines and 9-2 for the Army.
In the tournament’s special skills competition, Polson’s Carli Maley hit two home runs while Columbia Falls’ Maddie Moltray had three home runs but neither advanced. Ronan’s Kaydance Santos finished third in baserunning and Maley finished in the middle of the pack for the catch pop-to-pop showcase.