Championship slips through their fingers
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One uncharacteristic inning cost the Polson Purple Rain a chance at the 2010 Splash Classic Championship.
In a tournament that is usually dominated by its host, the Polson U16 team was the only team wearing purple to make it to the championship game Sunday but watched any hope of claiming the first-place trophy slip through their fingers after the third inning against the Frenchtown Fury.
The Purple Rain committed five errors in the third leading to eight Fury runs, with seven of the runs crossing the plate with two outs. Four of five Purple Rain errors in the inning would’ve been the final out.
“This team just doesn’t do that,” said Purple Rain manager Larry Smith, who was still in disbelief after the game. “They got a little frustrated and started rushing things ... but they battled back and gave themselves an opportunity to win.”
The Purple Rain battled back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth and a run in their half of the fifth, but Fury ace Abby Indreland shut them down the final two innings.
The Purple Rain had five hits in the fourth. Sallie Sams, Kinley Pope Shay Duford and Ashley Johnson all singled and Kodi Woods had an RBI double.
Duford was touched up for seven hits and didn’t look like the same pitcher that led Polson to the state championship just weeks earlier, but Smith isn’t too worried.
“We’ll get that healed up,” Smith said.
The Purple Rain started Sunday’s bracket play with a 12-3 victory over the Ronan Raptors in the semifinals.
The Purple Rain put the game out of reach with an eight-run second inning.
