Stayin' alive
Mariners to host state tourney this weekend in Polson
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LIBBY – The Mission Valley Mariners suffered a rough second half to their district tournament run this past weekend in Libby, but there is still hope to bring home some state tournament hardware. Since the Mariners will be hosting the state tournament this weekend, July 28 to Aug. 1, the team automatically receives a No. 2 seeding.
Mission Valley’s first loss in the double elimination tournament came when they fell to a talented Libby Loggers team 7-1. The Loggers started hot, scoring four runs in the first two innings to build a four-run deficit. The Mariners finally got on the board during the bottom of the fourth, scoring the team’s lone run through the remainder of the game. Libby sealed the deal when they kept the Mariners scoreless through the final five innings, allowing the Loggers to pull away with a 7-1 win.
Mariner Chris Clary scored the lone run for his team.
With the loss, the Mariners played the talented Missoula Mavericks, who have given the Mariners trouble on the road all season. The Mariners kept the game’s score close after the Mavs pulled out to a quick 3-0 lead through the top of the second. The Mariners rallied by picking up a run in the bottom of the inning.
Both teams went scoreless through the third and fourth innings, before the Mariners tied the game at 3-3 after picking up a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth when Derrick Rathe smacked a two-run home run.
The score remained tied at three a piece, until the Mavericks squeezed out a run in the top of the ninth to edge the Mariners 4-3.
Before playing Libby, the Mariners defeated the Missoula Mavericks 5-2. The Mariners got off to a good start, picking up an early 3-0 lead during the first inning, and never looked back. The Mariners kept the Mavs in the dugout on offense as Josh Rustad picked up the win on the mound. Missoula’s only runs came during the bottom of the fourth.
Mariner Chris Clary led his team at bat, hitting 3 for 5 with two doubles, while teammate Robbie Gauthier added a solo home run.
For the Mavs, Anthony Contonio finished the game with a double, while Jesson Preston hit a triple.
In the tourney opener, Mission Valley handed the Kootenai Valley Rangers their first loss, winning 5-3. The Mariners kept the Rangers at bay while they went to work at bat, scoring runs in five of eight innings.
Mariner Jacob Young led his team at bat, hitting 2 for 3, with a pair of RBIs, while Kevin Hagadorn added an RBI, and Justin Evertz contributed a pair of hits with one RBI.
For Kootenai Valley, Tanner Blankers drove in a run and had a pair of hits.
The Mariners will be hosting this year’s state tournament in Polson, where game play is scheduled to begin July 28. Other teams advancing to the State A Tournament are: Libby, Belgrade, Southern Dillon, Eastern Billings, Laurel, Northern Fort MacLeod and Great Falls.
