Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Sports at a Glance

All stories by Jean Schurman

Bucs battle at tournament

Sports Talk

The Bitterroot Bucs and Bitterroot Red Sox competed in the Western A tournament in Polson. The event featured American Legion teams from throughout Western Montana. The winner will advance to the State Tournament next week.

The Bucs got off to a great start on Saturday against the Glacier Twins of Kalispell. Dustin Lind set the stage for the Bucs when he knocked a home run off the first pitch to him. Two more runs finished the inning. Strong defense by the Bucs kept the Twins off the bags while strong bats put runners on for the Bitterroot team. The Bucs scored eight runs in the third inning and finished the game with a 16-0 rout.

Jeremiah Hanna took the mound first for the Bucs. Kolby Salmela came in to relieve Hanna in the fourth and took the win. Matthew Perez was 4-for-6 and had four RBIs. Lind went 2-for-5 and had 2 RBIs.

The Red Sox topped the Kalispell Lakers, 9-6, in their first game of the tournament. Zack Henninger and Luke Root were the pitchers for the Red Sox. Brady Anderson was solid as catcher.

The wins by both Bitterroot teams set up another game between the two rivals. The Bucs swept the Red Sox in season play but it was no walk in the park. This game would be no different.

In what was described by one parent as a barn-burner, the Bucs came from behind in the bottom of the ninth inning to take the 9-8 win. Hannah was on the mound and earned the win. The Red Sox jumped out early with a 2-run inning in the second inning. The Bucs came back in the fifth with 3 runs. Then it was the Red Sox with two three-run innings. The game was tied at the bottom of the 8th.

It was another come-from-behind game for the Bucs in their semi final game against the Mission Valley Mariners on Monday afternoon. After a strong first inning by the Bucs, the Mariners had to rally and rally they did. The Mariners came back in the fifth inning to score five runners and take the lead. The two teams jockied back and forth eventually ending up tied in the top of the 9th inning when Max Burns and Matthew Perez made it on base. Dominic Goble knocked an RBI to score a runner and tie the game. But it was not enough. The defending Regional Champions lost to Mission, 9-8.

Jeremiah Hannah pitched until the 9th inning when Kenny Collins relieved the veteran Buc. Matthew Perez closed for the Bucs. Brandon Thompson pitched a complete game for the Mariners. He also had a home run as did John Roush who banged a 2-run homer.

The Bucs played the Missoula Mavs on Tuesday morning in loser out action. The results of that game were not available at press time.

The Bitterroot Red Sox lost to the Missoula Mavs in loser out action on Monday morning. No other details were available.