Mariners B learning the ropes
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The Mission Valley Mariners B grabbed a win at the Mission Valley Mariners-hosted Firecracker Tournament, going 1-3 for the weekend. For the B team, every game is a lesson as the feeder to the A Team in the years to come. Because Montana does not have high school baseball, American Legion is the driving force for high school-aged ball players; the Mariners boast both an A and a B team, much like varsity and JV.
First year head coach Robbie Gauthier knows first-hand the importance the importance of B team experience as a three- year Mariner himself and also how tough it is for his young athletes to take on a big tournament such as the Firecracker. He is proud of how far the Mariners B team has come.
“They’re just not used to it,” Gauthier said. “Back in Babe Ruth they never played this many games in one weekend.”
In their first game of the tournament on Thursday, the B boys opened up with a win against Glacier Twins B, 9-7. Russell Matt started on the hill for the B team throwing four innings, walking four and tossing one strikeout. Noah McDonald recorded the win completing the final two innings, striking out one and allowing only one walk. Raymond Matt went 3-4 with a double and knocked in three Mariners runs. Walter Wood chipped in a double and two RBIs.
On Friday Mission B hit the two-hour tournament time limit with an 8-8 tie against the Livingston Braves, forcing the tie breaker to go into a bunt off. The team closest to the flag in a bunt takes the win, which left the M’s falling in the tiebreaker. Justin Young led at the plate in hits going 2-4 while Brenen Abromeit and Russell Matt each picked up two RBIs each.
In Saturday’s game three, Mariners B fell to Helena’s Reps 0-10. Jonah Burke, Walter Wood, Young and Russ Matt all recorded single hits for the M’s
Sunday, the B Mariners faced tough competition meeting up with the Missoula’s Pioneers in their final game of the tournament, tumbling 1-8. Despite the loss, Walter Wood led at the plate going 2-4 and knocking in the only Mariner run. Nyqolas Gillingham remained patient at the plate, drawing three walks for his three at bats.
All in all Gauthier believes his B team is improving, with some players preparing to make the jump to the A team next year. The varsity M’s will be losing nine, opening up spots in almost every position.
“Everybody’s learning and some of the guys that didn’t even know baseball in the beginning are starting to fit in, hit the ball, play catch, and have fun,” Gauthier said. “They’re going to keep on getting better throughout the season. It will be fun.”
Mission Valley B will host the Glacier Twins B at home July 9 and then head to Hamilton to take on the Bitterroot Red Sox July 10.
Results
Mariners B 2 0 0 2 5 – 9 10 4
Glacier Twins B 0 0 2 0 4 1 – 7 6 4
Raymond Matt 3-4, Walter Wood 2-4, Jonah Burke 0-3, Nyqolas Gillingham 2-4, Brenen Abromeit 0-1, Justin Young 1-3, Micah McClure 1-2, Noah McDonald 1-2, Warren Wood 0-3, Levi Trotter 0-0.
2B – Raymond Matt, Walter Wood, Gillingham, McClure. RBIs – Raymond Matt (3), Walter Wood (2), Gillingham, Young.
Mariners B 1 0 0 0 2 2 3 – 8 9 4
Livingston Braves 4 0 0 1 0 0 3 – 8 8 4
Raymond Matt 1-4, Brenen Abromeit 1-5, Jonah Burke 1-4, Nyqolas Gillingham 1-4, Justin Young 2-4, Russell Matt 1-3, Micah McClure 0-2, Timmy Marshall 0-1, Warren Wood 1-3, Walter Wood 1-1, Levi Trotter 0-0, Noah McDonald 0-0, Israel Umphrey 0-0.
2B – Walter Wood. RBIs – Abromeit (2), Russell Matt (2), Gillingham, Walter Wood.
Mariners B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 4 7
Helena Reps 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 – 10 11 0
Raymond Matt 0-3, Brenen Abromeit 0-3, Walter Wood 1-3, Nyqolas Gillingham 0-2, Jonah Burke 1-2, Justin Young 1-2, Russell Matt 1-3, Levi Trotter 0-0, Warren Wood 0-2, Noah McDonald 0-1, Mo Hoyt 0-1, Timmy Marshall 0-1, Israel Umphrey 0-1.
Mariners B 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 – 1 3 4
Missoula Pioneers 2 1 0 0 0 4 1 – 8 19 1
Raymond Matt 0-3, Walter Wood 2-4, Jonah Burke 0-3, Nyqolas Gillingham 0-0, Brenen Abromeit 0-3, Russell Matt 0-2, Micah McClure 0-2, Noah McDonald 0-2, Warren Wood 1-3, Levi Trotter 0-0, Mo Hoyt 0-1, Timmy Marshall 0-0, Israel Umphrey 0-1.
2B – Walter Wood. RBIs – Walter Wood.
