Saturday, April 2, 2011
2011 Speedwagon Classic Pictures
The rain didn't stop a determined group of Mission Valley Bikers from racing in the Speedwagon Classic today just outside of Polson. It was muddy and windy, but the riders persisted. Here are some photos from the event...
Saturday Feature: Austin Bauer headed to Rocky Mountain College
By Brandon Hansen
BILLINGS - Rocky Mountain College bolstered its wide receiver ranks recently, announcing they had signed Charlo senior Austin Bauer, a two-time all-state selection in football.
"I like the program," Bauer said. "It just seems like a good program that I would be a good fit in. It reminded me a lot of the Charlo program."
The coaching staff at Rocky Mountain thought Bauer was an all-around good player and their interest really piqued when they heard about his high ACT scores.
Knowing they had a well-rounded student-athlete they could bring to Billings, they offered to sign him as a player.
Being a big part of a Charlo Vikings team that went undefeated in the regular season and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs may have had something to do with it as well.
"It's awesome," Bauer said of playing college football. "It was always a goal of mine, I was always working hard and playing hard. It's really great I'm able to sign on with a team without the walk-on process."
The 6'1" 175-pound Bauer caught 22 passes for 307 yards and six touchdowns this year. On defense he had 26 solo tackles and 38 assists. He was could also be a major threat on kick and punt returns.
The Rocky Mountain coaching staff was looking at teammates of Bauer's when they noticed the wide receiver's potential.
In February, he went down to visit the campus and talk with coaches.
And then just two weeks ago, he signed his letter of intent to play football. The college itself is a private institution that competes in NAIA Division 1 athletics.
With an enrollment of 894 undergraduates, the Battlin' Bears compete in the Frontier Conference which should make it easier on Bauer's family when it comes to traveling to games.
"They play schools like Carroll College and Montana Tech in Butte, all of those are a lot closer," Bauer said. "They supported me 100 percent, I'm blessed and thankful for that."
Bauer will start his college career the first weekend of August, and he plans to study aviation.
"It's going to be difficult and a little bit of an adjustment, but I think I'm going to be pretty good at it," Bauer said.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Softball: Lady Bulldogs bite back at Eureka, win 14-4
ST. IGNATIUS - Eureka started out hot with a four-run first inning but couldn't stop the bats of Mission as the Lady Bulldogs won extended their winning streak to three with a 14-4 victory, shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.
Eureka had the hot bats in the top of the first, getting their scoring from a bevy of singles, however they would relinquish much of the lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a single by Kinley Pope which drove home a run and a home run by Janeal McDonald.
"It felt good," McDonald said of the dinger. "It was just a smooth hit."
Eureka would hold onto the 4-3 lead until the bottom of the third when an error led to Sara Nerby scoring to tie things up and then another error allowed Kinley Pope to score and give the Lady Bulldogs the lead. Eureka appeared to lose some of their composure out on the field and the bleeding continued. Kyla Olson would hit a triple to drive home McDonald and another error led to a score by Bryanna Steele. Jessica Foust would cap off the scoring in the third with a double that drove home Serena Camacho.
"It feels like anybody can get a hit and then everybody gets a hit," McDonald said.
That would make it 9-4 Lady Bulldogs and Eureka could never recover.
Mission-Arlee-Charlo would score three more in the bottom of the fourth. McDonald drove home a run on a single with no outs after Kinley Pope doubled to get into scoring position. A throwing error would led to McDonald scoring and then Camacho grounded out to drive home Olson later in the inning.
Going into the top of the fifth, Mission held the 12-4 lead and forced Eureka to go three up and three down.
In the bottom of the fifth, Pope doubled to drive home a run and then after McDonald reached on an error and Pope moved to third, Olson bunted to bring home Pope and end the game with the 10-run mercy rule.
Mission's pitcher, Olson, allowed just three hits and recorded four strikeouts in the game.
Eureka - 400 - 00 - 14
Mission - 306 - 32 - 4
Mission - 12 hits and no errors. Eureka - three hits and 8 errors.
Lady Bulldogs batting - Loren Erickson 0-4, Sara Nerby 0-3, Kinley Pope 3-4, Janeal McDonald 4-4, Olson 3-4, Bryanna Steele 0-2, Bryanna Steele 0-2, Alyssa Doty 1-3, Serena Camacho 0-1, Jessica Foust 1-2
Doubles - Pope (2), Foust. Triples - Olson. HR - McDonald. RBI - McDonald (4), Olson (3), Pope (2)
Here are some photos from the game...
Eureka had the hot bats in the top of the first, getting their scoring from a bevy of singles, however they would relinquish much of the lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a single by Kinley Pope which drove home a run and a home run by Janeal McDonald.
"It felt good," McDonald said of the dinger. "It was just a smooth hit."
Eureka would hold onto the 4-3 lead until the bottom of the third when an error led to Sara Nerby scoring to tie things up and then another error allowed Kinley Pope to score and give the Lady Bulldogs the lead. Eureka appeared to lose some of their composure out on the field and the bleeding continued. Kyla Olson would hit a triple to drive home McDonald and another error led to a score by Bryanna Steele. Jessica Foust would cap off the scoring in the third with a double that drove home Serena Camacho.
"It feels like anybody can get a hit and then everybody gets a hit," McDonald said.
That would make it 9-4 Lady Bulldogs and Eureka could never recover.
Mission-Arlee-Charlo would score three more in the bottom of the fourth. McDonald drove home a run on a single with no outs after Kinley Pope doubled to get into scoring position. A throwing error would led to McDonald scoring and then Camacho grounded out to drive home Olson later in the inning.
Going into the top of the fifth, Mission held the 12-4 lead and forced Eureka to go three up and three down.
In the bottom of the fifth, Pope doubled to drive home a run and then after McDonald reached on an error and Pope moved to third, Olson bunted to bring home Pope and end the game with the 10-run mercy rule.
Mission's pitcher, Olson, allowed just three hits and recorded four strikeouts in the game.
Eureka - 400 - 00 - 14
Mission - 306 - 32 - 4
Mission - 12 hits and no errors. Eureka - three hits and 8 errors.
Lady Bulldogs batting - Loren Erickson 0-4, Sara Nerby 0-3, Kinley Pope 3-4, Janeal McDonald 4-4, Olson 3-4, Bryanna Steele 0-2, Bryanna Steele 0-2, Alyssa Doty 1-3, Serena Camacho 0-1, Jessica Foust 1-2
Doubles - Pope (2), Foust. Triples - Olson. HR - McDonald. RBI - McDonald (4), Olson (3), Pope (2)
Here are some photos from the game...
Polson tennis off to strong start
(From the Daily Interlake)
POLSON - Polson tennis coach Bob Hislop couldn't have asked for a better way to open the high school tennis season.
The Pirates did not lose a set in blanking county rival Ronan 7-0 in both boys and girls action on Thursday.
"It's really nice start to the season," Hislop said. "It was just good to get the match in."
Hislop was especially pleased with the performances of his girls and double teams.
Polson is back in action Saturday, hosting Libby at 10 a.m. and Hamilton at 4 p.m.
BOYS
Polson 7, Ronan 0
Brady Hislop, P, defeats Chase Allen, 6-1, 6-0
Ian Laimbeer, P, defeats Joe Dresen 6-0, 6-2
Andrew Storro, P, defeats Allen Fortin, 6-0, 6-1,
Jared Gallatin, P, defeats Tyson Allen, 6-1, 6-0
Doubles - Will Davy/Justin Evertz, P, defeats Hunter Schima/Payton Adams 6-2, 6-1
Hayden Congdon/Dylan McCrumb, P, defeats Aaron Yazzie/Tyler Anderson 6-0, 6-1
Sam Peel/Reed Hovenkotter, P, defeats Daniel Aylesworth/Logan Sonkkala 6-0, 6-1
GIRLS
Polson 7, Ronan 0
Kendyall Rochin, P, defeats Josie Benedetti 6-1, 6-4
Whitney Zimmerman, P, defeats Taylor Kourville 6-1, 6-1
Karly Rochin, P, defeats Jonelle Lauer 6-3, 6-1
Dominique McGowan, P, defeats Tashina Barnaby 6-2, 6-4
Doubles - Mackenzie Clay/Jordan Quin, P, defeats Darian Blixt/Catelyn Matkovich 6-1, 6-1
Audra Engebretson/Carmen Borchers, P, defeatsSeri Smith/Brianna Frank 6-2, 6-0
Tegan Bauer/Mollybeth Hendriz, P, defeats Elsie Bold/Rachel Cordis 6-3, 6-0
POLSON - Polson tennis coach Bob Hislop couldn't have asked for a better way to open the high school tennis season.
The Pirates did not lose a set in blanking county rival Ronan 7-0 in both boys and girls action on Thursday.
"It's really nice start to the season," Hislop said. "It was just good to get the match in."
Hislop was especially pleased with the performances of his girls and double teams.
Polson is back in action Saturday, hosting Libby at 10 a.m. and Hamilton at 4 p.m.
BOYS
Polson 7, Ronan 0
Brady Hislop, P, defeats Chase Allen, 6-1, 6-0
Ian Laimbeer, P, defeats Joe Dresen 6-0, 6-2
Andrew Storro, P, defeats Allen Fortin, 6-0, 6-1,
Jared Gallatin, P, defeats Tyson Allen, 6-1, 6-0
Doubles - Will Davy/Justin Evertz, P, defeats Hunter Schima/Payton Adams 6-2, 6-1
Hayden Congdon/Dylan McCrumb, P, defeats Aaron Yazzie/Tyler Anderson 6-0, 6-1
Sam Peel/Reed Hovenkotter, P, defeats Daniel Aylesworth/Logan Sonkkala 6-0, 6-1
GIRLS
Polson 7, Ronan 0
Kendyall Rochin, P, defeats Josie Benedetti 6-1, 6-4
Whitney Zimmerman, P, defeats Taylor Kourville 6-1, 6-1
Karly Rochin, P, defeats Jonelle Lauer 6-3, 6-1
Dominique McGowan, P, defeats Tashina Barnaby 6-2, 6-4
Doubles - Mackenzie Clay/Jordan Quin, P, defeats Darian Blixt/Catelyn Matkovich 6-1, 6-1
Audra Engebretson/Carmen Borchers, P, defeatsSeri Smith/Brianna Frank 6-2, 6-0
Tegan Bauer/Mollybeth Hendriz, P, defeats Elsie Bold/Rachel Cordis 6-3, 6-0
The Duford sisters
(From the Daily Interlake)
BY DIXIE KNUTSON - Daily Interlake
Calm, collected and fiery emotions worn on a sleeve.
Close ... with momentary dustups and the occasional knockdown, drag out fight.
Mention Kayla and Shalaina Duford and little grins break out on the faces of the Polson softball coaches.
Maybe they are remembering a few of the arguments they've witnessed.
More likely it is knowing the Pirates have their incredible battery back for one more season.
Kayla, the senior, is a returning all-state, all-conference and all-tournament team catcher with a calm demeanor. Two years younger, combustible pitcher Shalaina was first team all-conference and was the state tournament MVP last spring.
Together, they helped the Pirates defeat Belgrade 6-3 for their fifth state championship and look to lead Polson again this year.
The Pirate softball season is set to start Saturday at 1 p.m. in Belgrade - with a rematch of the state championship game.
"They're kind of the nucleus of the team, being the battery there. Kayla brings great composure, leadership. She has always got her wits about her. She is an extra-smart girl. I can change things on the run with her and she catches on real quick," said Polson coach Larry Smith.
"Shalaina, she's just a little fireball. She's very athletic and very strong-willed. She hates to lose and wants to win all the little individual battles inside the game," the coach said.
But that competitiveness is a positive for the Pirates.
"They give me a sense of ease, too, just having them around. I know all the time, they believe in anything I see and do," Smith said.
"We're close, but we fight a lot, too. Because she wears my clothes," Kayla explains.
"She wears my clothes, too!" Shalaina fires back.
The sisterly arguments are a part of the daily atmosphere, but everyone insists the disagreements are nothing serious.
"We're used to fighting, so it's over in five minutes," Kayla said.
"This morning she told me she can't wait to get away from me. At times, I think ‘just leave.' Other times, I'll miss her," Shalaina said.
Most of (the fighting) happens in the basement where (their parents) don't see it or know about it.
"When they get to the field, we would have never known it," their dad, Dave, said.
"They've actually been a pretty good team on the field, those two. That's one place they actually get along is on the softball field," he said.
"Larry is really good at managing (the differences). They have a lot of respect for him," he added.
Softball is the one area on which they nearly always agree.
They've been playing since they were each about 6 years old, they love everything about it and enjoy having a built-in sounding board at home. They agree neither really wants to take the field without the other.
"Sometimes she gets feisty during the games. Then we fight," Kayla said.
"When (the team) isn't meshing, I start to get upset and frustrated," Shalaina agreed.
"When I get mad, I throw hard, but not that good ... and it makes me more mad when (Kayla) comes out. I don't like to be calmed down when I'm mad," she confessed.
But their respect for one another's strong points is strong.
"I would like to catch for her more than anyone else. I think we mesh well. We feel most confident together," Kayla said.
"She has really good control of the ball. She's smart and she knows where the ball is going to be," Kayla said.
"I know she has a lot of experience. She holds her ground real well, doesn't let anything get by her," Shay said of her older sister.
Softball is a family affair for the Dufords - as it is with most softball families.
"We've never pressured them to play, but I honestly love softball. It's an exciting game because it's such a compact field. I probably, more than the girls, look forward to the season," Dave said
"Dad always tells us ‘thank you for playing softball.' He was the one who taught us to bat and to throw," Kayla said.
The Dufords got their start in Polson's summer program, traveling to tournaments in the family camper.
"All the families just really got into playing summer ball. They have to play that summer ball. It's so competitive and so much fun. I believe that is what makes Polson so competitive every year, is that summer softball. The girls who stay in it are really prepared. It teaches them great skills, they travel all over and they learn a lot," Dave said.
For their part, the girls relate fond memories of parking lot barbecues.
The family campers have improved over the years, they laugh.
When Polson won the title last spring, Dave and Julie Duford were right behind the plate with the rest of the Polson crowd.
"I remember just about every catch, every pitch, every hit," he said.
Dave filmed the entire game.
That moment is better for the father than the state wrestling championship he won himself in 1983.
"Absolutely. By far. It's my babies. I get to watch my babies play," he smiled.
"I was in heaven, absolutely excited. The crowd was going crazy. We were the team that nobody expected to be in it. Nobody expected it. But we played a great bunch of ball all weekend," he said.
"I was screaming my head off. It's all on the tape, me screaming and yelling, being proud, celebrating right along with all the parents. "
BY DIXIE KNUTSON - Daily Interlake
Calm, collected and fiery emotions worn on a sleeve.
Close ... with momentary dustups and the occasional knockdown, drag out fight.
Mention Kayla and Shalaina Duford and little grins break out on the faces of the Polson softball coaches.
Maybe they are remembering a few of the arguments they've witnessed.
More likely it is knowing the Pirates have their incredible battery back for one more season.
Kayla, the senior, is a returning all-state, all-conference and all-tournament team catcher with a calm demeanor. Two years younger, combustible pitcher Shalaina was first team all-conference and was the state tournament MVP last spring.
Together, they helped the Pirates defeat Belgrade 6-3 for their fifth state championship and look to lead Polson again this year.
The Pirate softball season is set to start Saturday at 1 p.m. in Belgrade - with a rematch of the state championship game.
"They're kind of the nucleus of the team, being the battery there. Kayla brings great composure, leadership. She has always got her wits about her. She is an extra-smart girl. I can change things on the run with her and she catches on real quick," said Polson coach Larry Smith.
"Shalaina, she's just a little fireball. She's very athletic and very strong-willed. She hates to lose and wants to win all the little individual battles inside the game," the coach said.
But that competitiveness is a positive for the Pirates.
"They give me a sense of ease, too, just having them around. I know all the time, they believe in anything I see and do," Smith said.
"We're close, but we fight a lot, too. Because she wears my clothes," Kayla explains.
"She wears my clothes, too!" Shalaina fires back.
The sisterly arguments are a part of the daily atmosphere, but everyone insists the disagreements are nothing serious.
"We're used to fighting, so it's over in five minutes," Kayla said.
"This morning she told me she can't wait to get away from me. At times, I think ‘just leave.' Other times, I'll miss her," Shalaina said.
Most of (the fighting) happens in the basement where (their parents) don't see it or know about it.
"When they get to the field, we would have never known it," their dad, Dave, said.
"They've actually been a pretty good team on the field, those two. That's one place they actually get along is on the softball field," he said.
"Larry is really good at managing (the differences). They have a lot of respect for him," he added.
Softball is the one area on which they nearly always agree.
They've been playing since they were each about 6 years old, they love everything about it and enjoy having a built-in sounding board at home. They agree neither really wants to take the field without the other.
"Sometimes she gets feisty during the games. Then we fight," Kayla said.
"When (the team) isn't meshing, I start to get upset and frustrated," Shalaina agreed.
"When I get mad, I throw hard, but not that good ... and it makes me more mad when (Kayla) comes out. I don't like to be calmed down when I'm mad," she confessed.
But their respect for one another's strong points is strong.
"I would like to catch for her more than anyone else. I think we mesh well. We feel most confident together," Kayla said.
"She has really good control of the ball. She's smart and she knows where the ball is going to be," Kayla said.
"I know she has a lot of experience. She holds her ground real well, doesn't let anything get by her," Shay said of her older sister.
Softball is a family affair for the Dufords - as it is with most softball families.
"We've never pressured them to play, but I honestly love softball. It's an exciting game because it's such a compact field. I probably, more than the girls, look forward to the season," Dave said
"Dad always tells us ‘thank you for playing softball.' He was the one who taught us to bat and to throw," Kayla said.
The Dufords got their start in Polson's summer program, traveling to tournaments in the family camper.
"All the families just really got into playing summer ball. They have to play that summer ball. It's so competitive and so much fun. I believe that is what makes Polson so competitive every year, is that summer softball. The girls who stay in it are really prepared. It teaches them great skills, they travel all over and they learn a lot," Dave said.
For their part, the girls relate fond memories of parking lot barbecues.
The family campers have improved over the years, they laugh.
When Polson won the title last spring, Dave and Julie Duford were right behind the plate with the rest of the Polson crowd.
"I remember just about every catch, every pitch, every hit," he said.
Dave filmed the entire game.
That moment is better for the father than the state wrestling championship he won himself in 1983.
"Absolutely. By far. It's my babies. I get to watch my babies play," he smiled.
"I was in heaven, absolutely excited. The crowd was going crazy. We were the team that nobody expected to be in it. Nobody expected it. But we played a great bunch of ball all weekend," he said.
"I was screaming my head off. It's all on the tape, me screaming and yelling, being proud, celebrating right along with all the parents. "
Game recap of Frenchtown-Ronan softball game
(Courtesy of John Heglie, iHigh.com)
Frenchtown 16, Ronan 2 (Thursday afternoon)
At Ronan, the visiting Frenchtown Lady Broncs served notice that they will be one of the contending teams in the mix this softball season with a convincing 16-2 win over their hosts.
Maiden pitcher Bethany Colman inaugurated her season with an opening strikeout, but Keller Leishman followed with a double on the next at bat. Colman had a full count on number three batter Kayla Bordner, but her next pitch was up where Bordner obliged with a thank-you-very-much swing that cleared the centerfield fence to stake the Lady Broncs with a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, Maiden leadoff hitter Marisa McCrea opened with a single. Colman then sacrificed her over to second. Number three hitter Alex Dulmes drew a walk, and it looked like Ronan might be able to tie things up. But Frenchtown sophomore pitcher Abby Indreland was able to retire the next two batters. The second inning was uneventful for both clubs with the exception of a single by Maiden freshman Jasmine Bocksnick on her first varsity plate appearance.
In the top of the third, Frenchtown leadoff hitter Holly Jacobs drew a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Leishman stroked her second double of the evening to score Jacobs. Bordner then smacked an RBI single to score Leishman, extending the Frenchtown lead to 4-0. The elder Indreland kept Ronan quiet in the bottom of the third. Sakai Scheffer opened the top of the fourth with a solo home run, Number seven batter Katie Kees drew a walk, stole second, then stole third. Colman struck out the next two batters and had a called third strike on the Lady Bronc leadoff hitter in what would have ended the inning, but the catcher had difficulty holding onto it and Jacobs was able to outrun the throw safely to first.
Leishman would generate another RBI scoring hit to plate Kees. Bordner followed Leishman with an RBI scoring single to plate Leishman. Bordner was called out at second for leaving the bag prematurely. In the bottom of the fourth, freshman Maiden outfielder Alaina Madsen would reach first safely on a difficult-to-handle hit in only her second varsity at-bat. Madsen would advance to second on a passed ball. Number seven hitter Bocksnick would single again, advancing Madsen to third. Bocksnick then stole second to place two Maidens in scoring position.
Freshman pinch hitter Brittney Mock batted the ball into play, which Frenchtown had trouble handling. Instead of the Lady Broncs getting out of the inning, Mock safely reached first while two runs scored when Madsen and Bocksnick crossed the plate to put Ronan on the scoreboard 8-2. Leadoff hitter McCrea reached first on a fielders choice, stole second, but then Frenchtown was able to extricate themselves from the inning with the final out. In the top of the fifth, Kees would hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Indreland, who had reached on a fielding miscue.
While Ronan remained quiet the remainder of the game after a boisterous fourth, Frenchtown was intent upon making more noise. Maiden pitcher Colman opened the top of the sixth with a pair of strikeouts. Then Leishman hit her third (perhaps fourth depending on how one scores) double of the night, then advanced to third on a passed ball. Bordner singled to score Leishman. Pinch hitting for cleanup hitter Sarah Lester, Becca Testers drew a walk. Number five hitter Abby Indreland then hit a grounder toward the gap which a diving Maiden shortstop couldn't snare, which allowed Bordner to plate, but Testers was thrown out when Colman relayed the ball to Bocksnick covering the plate at home to end the inning, limiting the score from advancing beyong 11-2. In the top of the seventh, Scheffer would hit a high fly ball into the statosphere toward right field.
Scheffer was well on her way to second before it returned to earth, which the Maiden outfielder had trouble adjusting to with swirling wind currents to factor in and was unable to make the play. Scheffer rounded third and scored before the relay could arrive at the plate. Subsequent batter Kees hit a strong double, which got by the outfielder having trouble tracking it down.
Kees would score before the relay could arrive at the plate. Number eight and nine hitters McGuire and Hulla would single, followed by a walk to Jacobs to load the bases. A pair of walks would score two more runs, followed by a misplayed ball to the outfield which accounted for another run before Colman would field a pair of grounders to the mound to get out of the inning.
Opponents of the Maidens would be advised to not use this game as a barometer of what they might encounter in their game when it comes around in the schedule. A handful of seasoned players were missing from the lineup due to other commitments. Several Maiden replacements were playing in their first varsity game and they were being asked to contend like veterans against a tournament seasoned team that finished third in the state. Factor out passed balls, fielding miscues and misjudged hits, and the score would have tightened up substantially.
Frenchtown - 202 - 412 - 5 - 16
Ronan - 000 - 200 - 0 - 2
FRENCHTOWN - Holly Jacobs 1-3, 4-5, Kayla Bordner 4-4, Sarah Lester 0-3, Abby Indreland 0-2, Sakai Scheffer 2-4, Katie Kees1-4, Madison McGuire 1-3, Jordan Hulla1-3, Shana Harlan 0-1, Becca Testers (2 walks), Emma Oostdyk 0-1, Kaitlyn Indreland 0-0
RONAN - Marissa McCrea 1-3, Bethany Colman 0-3, Alex Dulmes 0-2, Turquoise Haggard 0-1, Alaina Madsen 1-3, Whisper Ivins 0-3, Jasmine Bocksnick 2-2, Courtney Molzhon 1-3, Christine Robinson 0-1, Brittney Mock 1-2, Sierra Smith 0-1
HR - Bordner, Scheffer 2B - Leishman 3[4?], Kees RBIs - Bordner 5, Leishman 2, Kees, Scheffer [Kees & Scheffer could be scored with 2 apiece if fielding miscues counted as hits]. unofficial game summary by John Heglie. Some details may vary from official stats due to interpretative differences
Frenchtown 16, Ronan 2 (Thursday afternoon)
At Ronan, the visiting Frenchtown Lady Broncs served notice that they will be one of the contending teams in the mix this softball season with a convincing 16-2 win over their hosts.
Maiden pitcher Bethany Colman inaugurated her season with an opening strikeout, but Keller Leishman followed with a double on the next at bat. Colman had a full count on number three batter Kayla Bordner, but her next pitch was up where Bordner obliged with a thank-you-very-much swing that cleared the centerfield fence to stake the Lady Broncs with a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, Maiden leadoff hitter Marisa McCrea opened with a single. Colman then sacrificed her over to second. Number three hitter Alex Dulmes drew a walk, and it looked like Ronan might be able to tie things up. But Frenchtown sophomore pitcher Abby Indreland was able to retire the next two batters. The second inning was uneventful for both clubs with the exception of a single by Maiden freshman Jasmine Bocksnick on her first varsity plate appearance.
In the top of the third, Frenchtown leadoff hitter Holly Jacobs drew a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Leishman stroked her second double of the evening to score Jacobs. Bordner then smacked an RBI single to score Leishman, extending the Frenchtown lead to 4-0. The elder Indreland kept Ronan quiet in the bottom of the third. Sakai Scheffer opened the top of the fourth with a solo home run, Number seven batter Katie Kees drew a walk, stole second, then stole third. Colman struck out the next two batters and had a called third strike on the Lady Bronc leadoff hitter in what would have ended the inning, but the catcher had difficulty holding onto it and Jacobs was able to outrun the throw safely to first.
Leishman would generate another RBI scoring hit to plate Kees. Bordner followed Leishman with an RBI scoring single to plate Leishman. Bordner was called out at second for leaving the bag prematurely. In the bottom of the fourth, freshman Maiden outfielder Alaina Madsen would reach first safely on a difficult-to-handle hit in only her second varsity at-bat. Madsen would advance to second on a passed ball. Number seven hitter Bocksnick would single again, advancing Madsen to third. Bocksnick then stole second to place two Maidens in scoring position.
Freshman pinch hitter Brittney Mock batted the ball into play, which Frenchtown had trouble handling. Instead of the Lady Broncs getting out of the inning, Mock safely reached first while two runs scored when Madsen and Bocksnick crossed the plate to put Ronan on the scoreboard 8-2. Leadoff hitter McCrea reached first on a fielders choice, stole second, but then Frenchtown was able to extricate themselves from the inning with the final out. In the top of the fifth, Kees would hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Indreland, who had reached on a fielding miscue.
While Ronan remained quiet the remainder of the game after a boisterous fourth, Frenchtown was intent upon making more noise. Maiden pitcher Colman opened the top of the sixth with a pair of strikeouts. Then Leishman hit her third (perhaps fourth depending on how one scores) double of the night, then advanced to third on a passed ball. Bordner singled to score Leishman. Pinch hitting for cleanup hitter Sarah Lester, Becca Testers drew a walk. Number five hitter Abby Indreland then hit a grounder toward the gap which a diving Maiden shortstop couldn't snare, which allowed Bordner to plate, but Testers was thrown out when Colman relayed the ball to Bocksnick covering the plate at home to end the inning, limiting the score from advancing beyong 11-2. In the top of the seventh, Scheffer would hit a high fly ball into the statosphere toward right field.
Scheffer was well on her way to second before it returned to earth, which the Maiden outfielder had trouble adjusting to with swirling wind currents to factor in and was unable to make the play. Scheffer rounded third and scored before the relay could arrive at the plate. Subsequent batter Kees hit a strong double, which got by the outfielder having trouble tracking it down.
Kees would score before the relay could arrive at the plate. Number eight and nine hitters McGuire and Hulla would single, followed by a walk to Jacobs to load the bases. A pair of walks would score two more runs, followed by a misplayed ball to the outfield which accounted for another run before Colman would field a pair of grounders to the mound to get out of the inning.
Opponents of the Maidens would be advised to not use this game as a barometer of what they might encounter in their game when it comes around in the schedule. A handful of seasoned players were missing from the lineup due to other commitments. Several Maiden replacements were playing in their first varsity game and they were being asked to contend like veterans against a tournament seasoned team that finished third in the state. Factor out passed balls, fielding miscues and misjudged hits, and the score would have tightened up substantially.
Frenchtown - 202 - 412 - 5 - 16
Ronan - 000 - 200 - 0 - 2
FRENCHTOWN - Holly Jacobs 1-3, 4-5, Kayla Bordner 4-4, Sarah Lester 0-3, Abby Indreland 0-2, Sakai Scheffer 2-4, Katie Kees1-4, Madison McGuire 1-3, Jordan Hulla1-3, Shana Harlan 0-1, Becca Testers (2 walks), Emma Oostdyk 0-1, Kaitlyn Indreland 0-0
RONAN - Marissa McCrea 1-3, Bethany Colman 0-3, Alex Dulmes 0-2, Turquoise Haggard 0-1, Alaina Madsen 1-3, Whisper Ivins 0-3, Jasmine Bocksnick 2-2, Courtney Molzhon 1-3, Christine Robinson 0-1, Brittney Mock 1-2, Sierra Smith 0-1
HR - Bordner, Scheffer 2B - Leishman 3[4?], Kees RBIs - Bordner 5, Leishman 2, Kees, Scheffer [Kees & Scheffer could be scored with 2 apiece if fielding miscues counted as hits]. unofficial game summary by John Heglie. Some details may vary from official stats due to interpretative differences
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)