Purple Wave takes 2nd place at softball tournament
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GREAT FALLS - The Polson Purple Wave, a 12U girls fast pitch softball team, took second overall at the at the Montana USA Junior Olympic State Softball Tournament June 8 in Great Falls. The Purple Wave was the only team to advance into the championship game undefeated.
In Friday’s bracket action, the Purple Wave handily defeated Montana Avalanche-Sammoury of Missoula 10-3. The Purple Wave broke a two all deadlock and took a 10-2 lead in the top part of the third inning by scoring eight runs. Mckenna Hanson went 3-for-3 with a double, while both Nikki Kendall and Idella West had two RBIs apiece.
The Emeralds-Allen of Kalispell had a 7-3 advantage as the Purple Wave entered the sixth inning of Friday’s second game. The Purple Wave’s bats came alive in the top of the sixth and scored seven runs to take a 10-7 lead and win. Kailey Smith went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Caitlyn Ward added three RBIs on two hits.
The Purple Wave opened Saturday’s action by scoring nine runs in the first inning and upending Montana Warriors-Black of Helena 16-3.
In the quarterfinals game, the Purple Wave slipped past a tough team from Butte the Mining City Magic-Stewart 7-6. Tyneesha Brown led the Wave at the plate with 3-for-4 effort. Brown had a triple and an RBI.
On Sunday in the semifinal game, the Purple Wave faced Montana Avalanche-Gagner - a talented team from Missoula. The Avalanche jumped out to a commanding 6-3 lead over the Purple Wave before the bats came alive for the Polson team. In the bottom of the fourth, Wave batters exploded for seven runs to take the 10-6 win and a berth into the championship. Hanson, Ward and West all had two RBIs apiece in the game.
In the championship game, the undefeated Purple Wave faced the 4-1 Billings team 406 playmakers. Unfortunately for the Wave, the 406 Playmakers prevailed 19-2 giving the Wave their first loss of the double elimination tournament. With both teams having a record of 5-1 a second championship game was played; the 406 Playmakers claimed the title with a 12-3 win.
“I am extremely proud of these girls,” Purple Wave coach Jami Hanson said. “I am pleased all in all. The girls did a great job.”
