Polson Pirate Baseball
Cats claw comeback culminated by extras effort eruption
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson, the Pirates interspersed five hits among nine free trips to the base path to jump out to an early seven run lead against the visiting Wildcats. At that juncture, the winds of fortune were blowing favorably and it looked like smooth sailing might lay ahead. But unlike an adage derived from a Shakespearan play, all's well did not necessarily mean things would end well as an ill wind would blow matters south. In the top half of the fourth, the Wildcats would close the gap to within three with a pair of hits aided by a trio of unsuccessful attempts to snuff the runner at the plate that extended the inning at the cost of three additional runs. The following frame, C-Falls would not only erase the remaining deficit, but overtook the lead on three hits that sandwiched three walks which plated four more runs. The Pirates were able to limit further damage by extracting themselves from the inning with a rundown for the third out.
Though the Wildcats would tack on an insurance run for a two run advantage after five and a half frames, the Pirates would mount a rally by picking up runs in the bottom half of each of the latter innings to tie. In the bottom of the seventh, Polson had a chance to end the contest in regulation when Zak Muzquiz tripled with two out. But the Pirates were unable to exploit his extra base effort as the contest would extend into extras.
With the international tie breaker rules in effect that places the runner who incurred the last out on second base, the Wildcats threatened in the eighth when they loaded the bases after an intentional walk was issued to cleanup batter Cody Schweikert. But the Pirates extracted themselves from the predicament when reliever Cole Wadsworth induced an outfield flyout. The Pirates were poised for a breakthrough with the top of their order rotating to the plate in their half of the eighth inning. But though Polson would advance their runner over to third, Columbia Falls would neutralize the threat.
In the top half of the ninth with daylight fading, the Pirates would secure the initial two outs as prospects looked favorable for them to take their chances in the bottom half of the frame. But the Wildcats came to the plate with other expectations in mind as the bottom third of their order delivered back to back hits to plate the initial go ahead run. Thereafter, fielding foibles, gratiuitous trips to the base path and hits would open the floodgates, culminating in seven more additional runs crossing the plate that push the probabilities of a comeback into improbable territory.
Every game brings to bear its own lessons. As defending state champions, opposing teams gun a little harder as they take aim at the target painted on the figurative back of the Pirate program. In this instance, it was multiple proverbial little foxes that spoiled the vine: untimely errors, coupled with excessive charity of extra base runners that stoked fuel to eventual fires that came back to burn, exacerbated by the temptations of succumbing to less than optimal execution of damage control decisions with lower probabilities of success when alternate conventional approaches would have yielded more preferable outcomes. The bitter taste of incurring defeat tends to be the kind of instructor that hastens the preference of the palate for something that tastes somewhat sweeter.
Columbia Falls 18, Polson 10 (9 inn.)
W Pirates (2-1), NW Wildcats (2-0)
C-Falls 100 441 008 – 18 12 4
Polson 350 001 100 – 10 8 9
Landon Shoemake (4IP:5K,3H,0W), (5a) Wyatt Wadsworth (1H,3W), (5b) George Wyman (1IP:1K,3H,2W), (6) Cole Wadsworth (3⅔IP:1K,6H,4W), (9) Zak Muzquiz (⅓IP:0H,3W) and Espn Fisher. Reggie Sapa (⅔IP:2K,5H,7BB,1HB), (2) Dayne Tu (1⅓IP:2K,0H,1HB), (4) Matthew Mitts (3IP:3K,2H,3BB,2HB), (7) Dawson Juntunen (3IP:3K,1H,2BB) and AC Chilson. WP – Juntunen. LP – W.Wadsworth (0-1).
COLUMBIA FALLS – Sapa 1-6, Nico Young 1-4, Kellen Kroger 2-4, Cody Schweikert 3-4, Jett Pitts 0-2, Juntunern 0-2, Tu 1-5, Jory Hill 0-2, Connor Venezio 0-3, Jace Hill 0-2, Mitts 2-3, Chilson 2-6.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-5, E.Fisher 1-4, W.Wadsworth 1-5, Holden Emerson 0-3, Cody Haggard 2-5, Zak Muzquiz 2-3, Hunter Emerson 1-2, Cason Graham 0-0, Shoemake 0-3, Aiden Gfroerer 0-3.
3B – Muzquiz. 2B – Young. RBIs – Young, Kroger 2, Schweikert 2, Juntunen, Jo.Hill, Venezio 2, Ja.Hill , Mitts, Chilson 2; C.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 3, Z.Muzquiz 2, Hu.Emerson, Shoemake, Gfroerer. SF – Chilson; Haggard. BB – Young 2, Kroger 2, Schweikert 2, Juntunen 2, Tu, Venezio, Mitts; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 2, W.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson 2, Hu.Emerson, Graham 2, Shoemake. HB – W.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Shoemake, Gfroerer. ROE – Sapa 2, Young, Juntunen; W.Wadsworth 2. SB – Sapa, Young, Jo.Hill, Ja.Hill; W.Wadsworth, Shoemake. CS – Mitts; Graham. Runs – Sapa 2, Young 3, Kroger 2, Schweikert 3, Juntunen 3, Tu, Jo.Hill, Ja.Hill, Mitts, Chilson; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 2, W.Wadsworth 2, Ho.Emerson 2, Haggard, Z.Muzquiz, Shoemake. (Tu19Mar24)
variants – Chilson(GC:2H, jh:3H), Ja.Hill(GC:3SB, jh:1SB)
Pirates prevail, evade elements, bounce Browning
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson, the visiting Indians of NorthWestern Division Browning not only inaugurated their season on the road against a veteran lineup of the defending state champion Pirates, but it was their first opportunity at outdoor play due to incliment weather further north. The differences in levels of experience along with acclimation to an environment with swirling wind conditions belied the score. To Browning's credit, they managed to load the bases in the top half of the second inning when cleanup batter Jordan Walker successfully singled to left field, then advanced over to third after a pair of walks were issued. But Pirate relief hurler Aiden Gfroerer preserved the shutout with a strikeout.
The Pirates sent their entire initial lineup to the plate twice to ensure starters got situational repetitions before multiple substitute pinch hitters began to be inserted into the batting order. Polson benefitted from fifteen free passes to the base path on account of ten walks interspersed with five bean balls that complemented comparable hits among the mid-teens.
The Pirates are slated to host the Noxon/T-Falls coop on Saturday, March 23, with the caveat of cooperative weather.
Polson 30, Browning 0
W Pirates (3-1), NW Indians (0-1)
Browning ( 0 )( 0 )0 – 0 1 4
Polson (19)(11)x – 30 16 0
Cody Haggard (1IP:3K), (2) Aiden Gfroerer (2IP:6K,1H,2W) and Espn Fisher, (2) Noah Agliano. Jorian Snow, (1b) Dante SureChief, (2) Jordan Walker and Sam Gordon. WP – Haggard (1-0)
BROWNING – SureChief 0-2, Snow 0-2, AJ Hill 0-2, Walker 1-1, Gordon 0-0, Jeremiah Marceau 0-1, Todd Morgan 0-1, Rider Armstrong 0-0, Kealin Moosewah 0-1.
POLSON – Cole Wadsworth 2-2, Maddox Bird 1-1, E.Fisher 2-2, Agliano 1-1, Wyatt Wadsworth 0-1, Brayson DuMont 1-3,Wyman 0-1, Cody Haggard 1-1, Landon Pablo 0-0, Hunter Emerson 4-4, Zak Muzquiz 0-0, Cason Graham 0-2, Landon Shoemake 3-4, Gfroerer 1-2.
RBIs – C.Wadsworth, Bird 2, E.Fisher, Agliano 2, W.Wadsworth, B.DuMont 2, Wyman 3, Haggard 2, Pablo 3, Hu.Emerson 3, Muzquiz 2, Graham, Shoemake 3, Gfroerer 3. SF – Pablo. BB – Gordon, Armstrong; Bird, Agliono,W.Wadsworth, Wyman 3, Haggard, Pablo, Z.Muzquiz, Gfroerer 2. HB – Bird, Agliano, Wyman, Pablo, Z.Muzquiz. FC – B.DuMont 2, Graham 2. ROE – Wyman, Shoemake. Runs – C.Wadsworth 2, Bird 3, E.Fisher 2, Agliano 2, W.Wadsworth, B.DuMont 2, Wyman 3, Haggard 2, Hu.Emerson 3, Muzquiz 2, Graham, Shoemake 4, Gfroerer 3. (Th21Mar24)
variants – B(GC:5E, scoreboard:4E), P(GC:15H, jh:16H): C.Wadsworth(b1b: E vs H), Agliano(b1c:E vs H), Pablo(b2a: SF vs F8)
Pirates exorcize Devils in decisive conference clash
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson, the host Pirates opened Western Division conference play with a decisive outing against the visiting Red Devils of Noxon/Thompson Falls. Polson sent their lineup to the plate twice and then some in the opening inning alone as they forged a huge lead. Zak Muzquiz smacked a three run double, while Wyatt Wadsworth and Espn Fisher also doubled. Fisher started on the mound, giving way to Landon Pablo to close out the contest. Weather conditions were cold with temps in the 30s exaccerbated by wind out of the north and swirling snow flakes.
Polson 20, Noxon/T-Falls 1
Pirates (1-0, 4-1), Red Devils (0-1, 0-2)
Noxon/TF ( 0 )10 – 1 0 6
Polson (20)0x – 20 11 2
Espn Fisher (1IP:3K,0H,2W), (2) Landon Pablo (2IP:2K,0H,2W) and Holden Emerson, (2) Noah Agliano. Bryson McCormick (⅔IP:2k,6H,5W), (1b) Sam Christensen (1⅓IP:0K,5H,2W) and Ian Brown. WP – E.Fisher (1-0)
NOXON/THOMPSON FALLS – Shane Hatchel 0-1, Brown 0-2, Lars Goedhard 0-1, McCormick 0-1, Ricky Williams 0-2, Justice Kayser 0-1, Brayden McJunkin 0-0, Christensen 0-1, Tate Baker 0-1.
POLSON – Cole Wadsworth 3-4, E.Fisher 2-2, Landon Pablo 0-0, Wyatt Wadsworth 2-3, Brayson DuMont 0-1, Ho.Emerson 0-3, Cody Haggard 1-2, Agliano 0-1, Wyman 0-2, Zak Muzquiz 1-2, Cason Graham 1-1, Landon Shoemake 1-1, Hunter Emerson 0-1, Gfroerer 0-0, Maddox Bird 0-0.
2B – Z.Muzquiz, W.Wadsworth, E.Fisher. RBIs – C.Wadsworth 3, E.Fisher 2, W.Wadsworth 3, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 3, Z.Muzquiz 4, Graham. BB – Hatchel, Goedhard, McCormick, McJunkin; E.Fisher, Pablo, Ho.Emerson, Haggard, Wyman, Shoemake, Gfroerer. HB – Gfroerer, Bird. SB – Baker; C.Wadsworth, W.Wadsworth. Runs – McJunkin; C.Wadsworth 3, E.Fisher 3, W.Wadsworth 3, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 2, Wyman 2, Z.Muzquiz 2, Shoemake 2, Gfroerer 2. (Sa23Mar24)
Pirates topple Chiefs in inaugural rivalry wrangle
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson, the visiting Chiefs of Ronan and the host Pirates engaged in their inaugural baseball cross county conference clash further enhanced by Battle for the Paddle implications with temporary possession of the rivalry oar going to the victors. The Chiefs started well. Tristan Fisher reached on an overthrow, then stole second base. With two out, cleanup batter Coleton Sherman laced a double to left center which scored Chief Fisher. But that would be the only orange & black jersey to cross the plate the remainder of the contest.
The Pirates would load the bases in the bottom half of the first and tied the contest on a run scoring single by middle-of-the-order batter Cody Haggard. But Chief hurler Cash Atkinson was able to evade further damage by getting out of the inning with a pop out and a ground out.
After Pirate pitcher Espn Fisher sent the three following inning Ronan batters back to the dugout, Polson would erupt in the bottom half of the frame as they sent their entire order to the plate and then some to take a commanding lead.
The Chiefs managed to route one runner onto the basepath in the top of the third when a brushback pitch barely grazed the attire of Tristan Fisher. Fisher would steal two bases to put himself in scoring position. But Pirate Espn Fisher would ensure he was left stranded with an inning ending strikeout. Polson would plate a half dozen more in their half of the inning to account for the final figures.
Pirate Espn Fisher threw ten strikeouts in the one hit effort. The Pirates countered the Sherman double with a quintet of their own by Cole Wadsworth, Espn Fisher, Haggard and Hunter Emerson in the second inning and a frosting on the cake double by Zak Muzquiz in the third.
Polson 15, Ronan 1
Pirates (2-0, 5-1), Chiefs (0-1, 0-3)
Ronan 100 00 – 1 1 5
Polson 186 0x – 15 11 2
Espn Fisher (5IP:10K,1H,1HB) and Holden Emerson. Cash Atkinson, (3) Tristan Fisher, (4) Liam Wills and Damien Hess, (3) C.Atkinson. WP – E.Fisher (2-0).
RONAN – Hunter Luedtke 0-2, T.Fisher 0-1, Atkinson 0-2, Coleton Sherman 1-2, DaVonne Curley 0-2, Ben Mitchell 0-2, WilJames Courville 0-2, Dante Baltz 0-2, Treyson Sinclair 0-2.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-3, E.Fisher 1-1, W.Wadsworth 2-3, Holden Emerson 1-3, Cody Haggard 2-4, Hunter Emerson 2-4, Zak Muzquiz 1-4, Landon Shoemake 0-3, Aiden Gfroerer 1-1.
2B – Sherman; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher, Hu.Emerson, Z.Muzquiz. RBIs – Sherman; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 2, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 3, Hu.Emerson, Z.Muzquiz, Shoemake, Gfroerer. BB – E.Fisher 3, W.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Shoemake, Gfroerer 2. HB – T.Fisher; C.Wadsworth. ROE – T.Fisher; Shoemake, Haggard, W.Wadsworth. FC – Ho.Emerson. SB – T.Fisher 2; Hu.Emerson, Z.Muzquiz. Runs – T.Fisher; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 3, W.Wadsworth 2, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 2, Hu.Emerson, Z.Muzquiz, Shoemake 2, Gfroerer 2. (Th28Mar24)
variants – Sherman(t1:2B vs 1B+E); W.Wadsworth(b2:pb vs sb), Ho.Emerson(b3:1rbi vs 2rbi), Haggard(b2:2B vs 1B+FC), Z.Muzquiz(b3:2B vs 1B+E), Shoemake(b2a: pb vs sb, b2b: 0rbi vs 1rbi)
(Sa30Mar24) Plains/H.Spgs cancelled
Pirate rein in Broncs
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson under gorgeous Spring weather conditions, there was no chants of "rain, rain, go away - come again some other day" this time around. The only rain in the forecast would be the tight rein the host Pirates held on the visiting Broncs to maintain their two season reign over Frenchtown. Landon Shoemake would throw six scoreless innings, though the Broncs maneuvered runners onto the basepath each inning, thrice threatened from scoring position. But deft defense coupled with a pair of inning ending strikeouts hobbled the hooves of any visitor trail blazing up to that point. Cole Wadsworth would come on in relief to close out the contest. Though the Broncs would load the bases with nobody out and picked up a run when their pinch hitter grounded out to short, Wadsworth struck out the following batter and induced an infield flyout to secure the outcome.
The only Polson player to have a multi-hit outing would be Aiden Gfroerer that included an extra base double in the bottom half of the sixth, advancing to third on a passed ball and scored on an overthrow. But Pirate mates Cole Wadsworth, Espn Fisher, Cody Haggard and Shoemake all reached base on multiple occasions as well when they benefitted from free pass walks or bean balls. The Pirates would score two of their runs capitalizing upon such charity, plating when they exploited a pitch that got behind the catcher and an overthrow.
To the Broncs credit, they put together a competitive game that pressured the Pirates. Scale back the free passes to the base path and curtail the fielding faux pas and this contest could have been a much tighter affair.
Polson 4, Frenchtown 1
Pirates (3-0, 6-1), Broncs (1-1, 1-4)
Fr-town 000 000 1 – 1 6 3
Polson 101 101 x – 4 5 1
Landon Shoemake (6IP:6K,5H,2W), (7) Cole Wadsworth (1IP:1K,2H,1HB) and Espn Fisher. Dawson Rodoni (6K,4H,5W,2HB), (5) Brooks Day (2IP:3K,1H,2HB) and Braxton Rodoni. WP – Shoemake (1-0). Sv – C.Wadsworth.
FRENCHTOWN – Day 1-4, Konnor Klimpel 1-4, Cash Mickey 1-3, Silas Zetterberg 0-3, Clayton Mitchell 0-2, Brady Sypolt 0-2, Gabe Gibbs 1-2, Joseph Alexander 2-3, D.Rodoni 0-2, Roper Woodard 0-1.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-3, E.Fisher 0-2, Wyatt Wadsworth 0-4, Holden Emerson 1-4, Cody Haggard 0-1, Hunter Emerson 1-3, Zak Muzquiz 0-2, Shoemake 0-1, Aiden Gfroerer 2-2.
2B – Day, Mickey, Alexander; Gfroerer. RBIs – Woodard; Hu.Emerson. BB – Mitchell, Gibbs; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher, Haggard, Z.Muzquiz, Shoemake. HB – Sypolt; Gfroerer, Shoemake, Haggard, E.Fisher. ROE – Zetterberg; Hu.Emerson. FC – Klimpel, Woodard. SB – C.Wadsworth. CS – Day; Haggard. Runs – Sypolt; C.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Shoemake, Gfroerer. DP – P(t4:2-3).
(Tu02Apr24)
variants – Mickey(t1:2B vs 1B+E), Hu.Emerson(b3:ROE vs H)
(Th28Mar24)Fr22-0N-TF, JV:F14-4 re:Fr-twn
Polson 17, Mission-Arlee 0
Pirates (4-0, 7-1), Bulldogs (0-2, 0-3)
Polson 33(11) – 17 6 0
Mssn/A 00( 0 ) – 0 0 7
Jake Helser (2IP:4H,5W,2HB), (3) Body Brown(⅓IP:1H,3W,1HB), (3b) Vinny Shepard (⅔IP:2K,1H,0W) and Milo Crooks. Wyatt Wadsworth (3IP:8K,0H,2W) and Espn Fisher. WP – W.Wadsworth (2-1). LP – Helser.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-3, E.Fisher 0-2, Wyatt Wadsworth 1-3, Holden Emerson 0-1, Cody Haggard 1-2, Hunter Emerson 0-1, Landon Pablo 0-2, Landon Shoemake 2-2, Aiden Gfroerer 1-2.
MISSION/ARLEE – Brown 0-1, Crooks 0-2, Dylan Lovejoy 0-1, Helser 0-0, Jason Leishman 0-1, Shepard 0-1, Isadore Mitchell 0-1, Codiak Killorn 0-1, Jorden Johnston 0-1.
2B – W.Wadsworth. RBIs – C.Wadsworth, W.Wadsworth 2, Haggard 2, Shoemake 3, Gfroerer 2. SF – W.Wadsworth. BB – C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher, Ho.Emerson 2, Haggard, Hu.Emerson, Pablo, Shoemake; Brown, Helser. HB – E.Fisher, Hu.Emerson, Gfroerer. SB – C.Wadsworth 2, E.Fisher 2, W.Wadsworth, Haggard, Pablo, Gfroerer. Runs – C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 3, W.Wadsworth 2, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 3, Hu.Emerson 2, Pablo, Shoemake 2, Gfroerer 2. (M08Apr24) resch from Tu04Apr
The Pirates handed the host Lions their second loss of the season. The contest was close through five innings. But Polson erupted with bludgeoning bats in the top half of the sixth to end the game by a ten run ruling. Espn Fisher and Wyatt Wadsworth both homered, while Cole Wadsworth dealt a pair of doubles while brother Wyatt laced another.
Polson 14, Eureka 0
W Pirates (10-3), NW Lions (11-2)
Polson 201 10(10) – 14 11 0
Eureka 000 00( 0 ) – 0 2 5
AJ Truman, (6) Tristan Butts and Butts, (6) Rogan Lytle. George Wyman (4IP:2K,2H,3W), (5) Cason Graham (2IP:1K) and Espn Fisher. WP– Wyman (2-0)
POLSON – Cole Wadsworth 2-4, E.Fisher 3-4, Wyatt Wadsworth 2-5, Holden Emerson 0-3, Cody Haggard 1-3, Hunter Emerson 3-4, Landon Pablo 0-4, Shoemake 0-2, Aiden Gfroerer 0-4.
EUREKA – Lytle 0-3, Rowan Burow 1-2, Butts 0-3, Truman 1-2, Emmet McKim 0-1, Tyce Van Orden 0-3, Michael Van Gilder 0-2, Logan Cuffe 0-2, Tristan Libby 0-1.
HR– E.Fisher, W.Wadsworth. 2B– C.Wadsworth 2, W.Wadsworth; Truman. RBIs– C.Wadsworth 4, E.Fisher 3, W.Wadsworth 2, Hu.Emerson, Pablo 2. BB– C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher , Ho.Emerson, Haggard, Shoemake; Truman, McKim, Libby. HB– Shoemake; Burow, McKim. FC– VanOrden 2. SB– Shoemake 2. Runs– C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher 2, W.Wadsworth 2, Ho.Emerson 2, Haggard, Hu.Emerson, Pablo, Shoemake 3, Gfroerer. (M29Apr24)
variants – P(Pgc:11H0E, MaxP:9H1E), E(MaxP:1H8E, Pgc:2H5E): Burow(Pgc:H, MaxP:ROE)
2nd Annual PaddleHeads HS Baseball Showcase
Ogren Park Allegiance Field, Missoula, MT
Friday-Saturday, April 19-20, 2024
hosts: Missoula PaddleHeads/Frenchtown HS
At Ogren Park Allegiance Field in Missoula as part of the 2nd annual PaddleHeads high school baseball showcase, the Pirates and Bitterroot Broncs clashed in a match between State placers at last year's State tournament. The Pirates nursed a precarious one run margin through three innings, but the Broncs erupted for a half dozen in the top half of the fourth to vault ahead. Thereafter, Polson bats were muffled, while Hamilton tacked on an insurance run to secure the win. Bash brothers Holden and Hunter Emerson were doubles troubles for Hamilton as each smacked run extra base hits.
Hamilton 11, Polson 5
W Pirates (8-3), SW Broncs (8-3)
Hamilton 040 601 – 11 9 0
Polson 203 000 – 5 4 5
Cody Haggard (2IP:2K,2H,4W), (3) Wyatt Wadsworth (2IP:4K,5H,3W), (5) Cole Wadsworth (2IP:4K,2H,0W) and Espn Fisher. Conner Ekin, (4) Jackson Lubke and Elijah McNair-Neal. WP– Ekin. LP– W.Wadsworth (2-2).
HAMILTON – Andrew Ricklefs 4-5, Lubke 1-4 Ekin 1-3, Boedy Tadvick 1-3, Tyce O'Connell 1-3, Elijah Gause 0-4, Toby DeMoss 1-2, Atticus Southwell 0-4, McNair-Neal 0-3, (1b) Taylor Nead.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-3, E.Fisher 0-3, W.Wadsworth 0-2, Holden Emerson 1-3, Haggard 0-1, Hunter Emerson 2-3, Landon Pablo 0-2, Brayson DuMont 0-1, Landon Shoemake 0-2, Aiden Gfroerer 0-3.
2B– Ho.Emerson, Hu.Emerson. RBIs– Ricklefs 3, Ekin, Tadvick 2, O'Connell 2, McNair-Neal 3; Ho.Emerson, Hu.Emerson 2. BB– Lubke, Ekin, Tadvick, O'Connell, DeMoss 2, McNair-Neal; W.Wadsworth, Haggard 2, Shoemake. SB– Ricklefs 2; C.Wadsworth 2, W.Wadsworth. CS– DeMoss. Runs– Ricklefs 2, Lubke 2, Ekin, Tadvick, O'Connell, DeMoss 3, Southwell; C.Wadsworth 2, W.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Haggard. (Sa20Apr24)
At Ogren Park Allegiance Field in Missoula as part of the 2nd annual PaddleHeads high school baseball showcase, the Pirates and Falcons faced off in a rematch of last year's State semifinal. Much like the 5-4 one run affair last season in which Polson prevailed to advance to the championship, this time around would likewise be a close contest. But it would be the Falcons who took flight with a big fourth inning, then held off a late Pirate surge.
Florence 5, Polson 3
W Pirates (8-2), SW Falcons (8-1)?
Polson 000 001 2 – 3 8 0
Florence 000 410 x – 5 8 3
Jake Roth (6IP:5K,6H,1W), (7) Trapper Oster (2K,3H,0W) and Drew Wagner, (7) Roth. Landon Shoemake (5IP:2K,8H,1W), (6) Cason Graham and Espn Fisher. WP– Roth. LP– Shoemake (1-1)
POLSON – Cole Wadsworth 2-4, E.Fisher 1-4, Wyatt Wadsworth 1-4, Holden Emerson 1-3, Cody Haggard 0-3, Hunter Emerson 1-3, Landon Pablo 1-3, Shoemake 0-3, Aiden Gfroerer 1-3.
FLORENCE – D.Wagner 2-3, Mason Arlington 1-3, Isaiah Testerman 1-3, Roth 2-3, Wes Potter 1-3, Levi Winters 0-3, Caleb Katen 0-3, Nolan Lippy 0-2, Chase Wagner 1-2.
2B– C.Wadsworth; Roth, D.Wagner. RBIs– Ho.Emerson; Roth 3, Lippy, C.Wagner. BB– Haggard; Lippy. SB– C.Wadsworth 2, H.Emerson. Runs– C.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Gfroerer; D.Wagner 2, Arlington, Testerman, Roth. (Fr19Apr24)
2024 Western MT HS Baseball Showcase game schedule
Friday, April 19th
10:00am – Corvallis vs. Ronan
12:15pm – Polson vs. Florence
2:30pm – Stevensville vs. Columbia Falls
4:45pm – Belgrade vs. Hamilton
7:00pm – Whitefish vs. Frenchtown
Saturday, April 20th
10:00am – Columbia Falls vs. Belgrade
12:15pm – Hamilton vs. Polson
2:30pm – Whitefish vs. Corvallis
4:45pm – Ronan vs. Stevensville
7:00pm – Florence vs. Frenchtown
1st Annual PaddleHeads HS Baseball Showcase
Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, Missoula, MT
Saurday, April 22, 2023
12:00pm – Florence vs. Frenchtown
2:00pm – Florence vs. Belgrade
4:00pm – Belgrade vs. Frenchtown
Pirates muzzle, blunt bite of Bulldogs
by John Heglie
At O'Malley Park in Polson, the host Pirates faced the Butte Bulldogs for the first time, one of only two baseball teams at present derived from among Class AA ranks. Butte also held a dual distinction of having a handful of players among their roster who competed on the Legion A Butte Miner squad that was 2022 Montana Legion A State champion as well as NW Regional champion. The substantially seasoned caliber of competition was evident as Butte took an early 1-0 lead. But the Pirates soon adapted. In the bottom of the fourth with one out, middle-of-the-order batter Cody Haggard would draw a walk, followed by a Hunter Emerson single. Both would plate on an Aiden Gfroerer double to overtake the lead 2-1. The Pirates would expand upon that margin the following inning when Holden Emerson doubled to bring home another run, then scored himself to make it 4-1. Cole Wadsworth would come on in relief of Espn Fisher in the top of the sixth, the latter taking over at catcher from Holden Emerson. Though Butte would get a runner onto the basepath after Quinn Cox opened the inning by taking a bean ball, Fisher would gun him down from behind the plate with a throw to shortstop Wyatt Wadsworth to scrub the attempted advance into scoring position. Thereafter, Cole Wadsworth would fan four of the next five batters to secure the win, striking out the final inning with all three batters looking. A string of fielding miscues by the Bulldogs during sixth inning action supplied the Pirates with an additional insurance run to account for the final margin.
Polson 5, Butte 1
W Pirates (9-3), SW Bulldogs (5-4)
Butte 010 000 0 – 1 1 5
Polson 000 221 x – 5 8 4
Espn Fisher (5IP:4K,1H,1W), (6) Cole Wadsworth (2IP:4K,0H,0W) and Holden Emerson, (6) E.Fisher. Derek Dunmire, (4) Lucas Harris-Huerta and Quinn Cox. WP– E.Fisher (3-0). LP– Harris-Huerta. Sv– C.Wadsworth.
BUTTE – Tocher Lee 0-3, Cayde Stajcar 1-3, Cox 0-1, Matthew Donaldson 0-3, Mason Armstrong 0-3, Karsen McEwen 0-3, Logan Carden 0-3, Zack O’Connell 0-2, Gavin Bushman 0-1, Will Stepan 0-2.
POLSON – C.Wadsworth 1-4, E.Fisher 2-3, Wyatt Wadsworth 0-4, Ho.Emerson 1-3, Cody Haggard 0-1, Cason Graham 0-1, Hunter Emerson 1-2, Landon Pablo 2-3, Shoemake 0-3, Aiden Gfroerer 1-3.
2B– Ho.Emerson, Gfroerer. RBIs– Ho.Emerson, Gfroerer 2. BB– Cox; E.Fisher, Ho.Emerson, Haggard 2. HB– Cox; Hu.Emerson. SB– Carden; Hu.Emerson. CS– Trudgeon; Haggard, Gfroerer. Runs– Carden; C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher, Ho.Emerson, Haggard, Hu.Emerson. (W24Apr24)
variants – B(5E vs 6E), P(8H vs 7H+ROE): Pablo(b4:E5c vs H)
2022 LegionA Butte Miner NW Regional champions: Stajcar, Cox, Trudgeon, [Dunmire]
2022 Legion A Butte Muckers: Trudgeon, Dunmire, O'Connell, McEwen, Lee, Stepan, M.Donaldson, Harris-Huerta
Pirates roll R's, repel rivalry wrangle rally response by resourceful Chiefs
by John Heglie
At Ronan for Senior Night honoring orange and black persuasions, the visiting Pirates and the host Chiefs played a competitive contest fitting of a cross-county clash Mission Valley rivalry wrangle . After Polson took an early 1-0 advantage, the Chiefs countered in the bottom half of the second by plating three to overtake the lead 3-1. The Pirates would chip away at the deficit, cutting the lead in half by picking up another run during top half of the third action, then forging the advantage in their favor with another pair the following inning for a narrow 4-3 margin. After Polson picked up another run in the top of the fifth, the Chiefs would respond in the bottom half of the inning as they cut the deficit in half by plating a run to close to with one, 5-4. The Chiefs threatened to reacquire their previous lead by loading the bases with one out. But Pirate hurler Landon Shoemake was able to extract himself from the precarious predicament when the Pirates turned a double play to maintain their margin.
Thereafter, a string of miscues interspersed with Pirate hitting expanded the visitor advantage, while Chief bats cooled off in temps more typical of the end of March than the cusp of May. The contest reflected vast improvement among competitiveness by the Chiefs, who were ten run ruled in their first clash back during the end of March, 1-15. This time around, the game went the distance.
The Chiefs graduate a half dozen seniors from their inaugural season baseball program: Cash Atkinson, Dante Baltz, WilJames Courville, DaVonne Curley, Tristan Fisher and Coleton Sherman.
Senior Night in Ronan
Polson 12, Ronan 4
Pirates (6-0, 11-3), Chiefs (2-5, 4-9)
Polson 101 215 2 – 12 8 5
Ronan 030 010 0 – 4 6 9
Liam Wills (5⅔IP:6K,6H,W,1HB), (6a ) Tristan Fisher, (6b) Hunter Luedtke (1⅔IP: 1H,1W) and Everett Lozeau. Landon Shoemake (5IP:8K,6H,1W,1HB), (6) Wyatt Wadsworth (2IP:1K,0H,1W) and Espn Fisher. WP– Shoemake (2-1)
POLSON – Cole Wadsworth 2-4, E.Fisher 1-5, W.Wadsworth 1-5, Hunter Emerson 1-4, Holden Emerson 1-3, Cody Haggard 0-2, Landon Pablo 1-2, Zak Muzquiz 0-1, Shoemake 1-2, Aiden Gfroerer 0-4.
RONAN – Hunter Luedtke 1-4, DaVonne Curley 0-4, T.Fisher 2-4, Ben Mitchell 1-2, Lozeau 1-4, Wills 0-4, Treyson Sinclair 0-4, Cash Atkinson 0-2, Coleton Sherman 1-3.
3B– T.Fisher. 2B– Ho.Emerson, Hu.Emerson, C.Wadsworth. Mitchell. RBIs– C.Wadsworth 2, E.Fisher, W.Wadsworth, Hu.Emerson, Haggard, Pablo, Shoemake; T.Fisher 3, Wills. SH– Haggard. BB– C.Wadsworth, Ho.Emerson, Haggard, Pablo, Shoemake 2; Mitchell, Atkinson. HB– Haggard; Mitchell. SB– C.Wadsworth, E.Fisher, W.Wadsworth 2, H.Emerson 2, Haggard, Shoemake; Wills. CS– W.Wadsworth, Muzquiz. Runs– C.Wadsworth 3, E.Fisher, W.Wadsworth 2, Hu.Emerson, Ho.Emerson, Haggard, Shoemake 3; Luedtke, Mitchell, Sinclair, Atkinson. (Tu30Apr24)
2023 STATE ALL CLASS BASEBALL CHAMPIONS
2023 Baseball
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Pirates split doubleheader with Falcons
The cold, blustery weather couldn't diminish the competitive spirit of the Polson and Florence baseball teams in their historic doubleheader Saturday in Hamilton.
It marked the first games in the history of both schools and each was determined to make a positive memory.
The Pirates started the day with an 8-2 win over Florence. The Falcons answered with a 6-2 win in the second game.
The games were held in Hamilton because Florence still has icy spots on its field. Hamilton was scheduled to be part of the big day but had some travel issues after Friday's road game and was held up by snow after spending Friday night in Bozeman.
"We're so grateful that Hamilton let us play on their field," Florence coach Pat Duchien said. "You could just see the joy on the kids' faces from both teams today.
"You're hearing some kids that don't play Legion say, 'Gosh, I don't remember some of the rules. It's been so long since I played.' But for two games, there weren't a ton of errors. You could see the nerves at the start. But you saw the fun they were having. Just the elation.
Polson's Dawson DuMont, who announced in January he will play baseball for Shoreline Community College in Washington next spring, struck out eight in three innings of duty in earning the win in the opener. He also went 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run, double and two RBIs. Teammate Jarrett Wilson was also 2 for 3 with a home run.
Key to the outcome was Polson's fast start. DuMont hit his round-tripper in the first inning to give the visitors a lead they never relinquished. George Wyman had an RBI single in the second inning and DuMont scored in the third when his double led to a throwing error.
Polson added two insurance runs in the fifth. The first came on a Jarrett Wilson home run. Florence finally got on the board with two runs in the seventh, but it was too little, too late.
Isaiah Testerman led the Falcons, going 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI.
In the second game, Polson again jumped in front early on a DuMont fielder's choice. But this time Florence responded quickly, using a Cole Fray-Parmantier two-RBI double to take its first lead of the day in the second frame.
The Falcons boosted their lead to 5-1 in the third. Two runs scored when George Philbrick singled. A third run came across when Testerman lived on an error.
Philbrick led the Falcons at the plate, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs. Roth, Fray-Parmantier and Brodie Hinsdale each had two hits.
Florence went through four pitchers in the game. Trapper Oster earned the win, coming on in the third frame. He did not allow a run in two innings of duty, striking out three while allowing two hits.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Pirates pound Blue Devils
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Play Ball! Pirates win first ever home opener
Polson 17, Mission 1
Polson scored early and often in a rout of conference foe St. Ignatius. Dawson Dumont led the way with a home run and 5 RBI's. Cymian Kauley registered the win on the mound registering 5 strikeouts against 1 walk. The Pirates took advantage of 7 walks by Mission pitchers. The Pirates are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conferene play.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Pirates shut down Broncs
Dawson Dumont pitched 5 innings allowing no hits to his Frenchtown opponents. Jarrett Wilson led the team with 3 hits including a double and 2 stolen bases. The Pirates are now 2-0 in conference action 4-1 overall.
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Pirates no-hit Trojans
Boosted by Jarrett Wilson's 3 hits, Dawson Dumonts home run, and a combined no-hit pitching performance by Wilson and Cody Haggard the Pirates downed Troy 20 - 0 in a run rule shortened game. The Pirates tallied 10 hits, 4 for extra bases, in the victory. Polson is now 2-0 in conference and 5-1 overall.
Thursday, April 14, 2023
Polson downs Plains/Hot Springs in run rule shortened contest
Monday, April 17, 2023
Polson remains undefeated in conference play
Polson pitcher Dawson DuMont tossed a six-inning two-hitter, struck out 14 batters and walked one in an 11-0 win at St.Ignatius on Monday. At the plate, DuMont went 1-for-2 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. Landon Shoemake had a team-best three RBIs and a double. Espn Fisher collected a double, a triple, and RBI and two runs scored. Rhain Gonzalez had two singles for both of St.Ignatius' hits. Polson is now 3-0 in conference and 7-1 overall.
Friday, April 21, 2023
Fisher pitches complete game victory over Columbia Falls
Espn Fisher went the distance for the Pirates allowing 4 hits while striking out 11 and walking no one. The game tightened up in the 6th inning when Columbia Falls scored 2 runs and left two stranded on the bases. Polson is now 8-1 overall and 4-0 in conference action.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Polson defeats Eureka despite errors
The Pirates battled through 6 errors to win a come from behind game versus Eurkea on a cold afternoon in Polson. Espn Fisher went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs and Landon Shumake got the victory on the mound. The Pirates were short several players who were participating in a school music event. Polson is now 9-1 overall and 4-0 in conference action.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Broncs hand Pirates non-conference defeat.
Jarrett Wilson went 3-4 but it wasn't enough as the Pirates dropped a close decision to Hamilton. The game was scheduled at the last minute . Many of the Pirate players were playing their third game of the day (also played JV game vrs Eureka) as the roster was depleted due to a PHS music event. Cymian Kauley took the loss on the mound. Polson is now 9-2 overall and 4-0 in conference action.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Pirates thump Broncs
Dawson Dumont went 5-5 with 6 RBI's while earning the win on the mound for the visiting Polson Pirates. Polson is now 10-2 overall and 5-0 in conference action.
The game took place in Missoula's Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, the home of the Missoula Paddleheads minor league baseball team.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Polson powers past Whitefish at home
The Pirates jumped on Whitefish for three runs in the first inning then had to come from behind in the 4th inning after trailing 5-4. Polson pounded out 13 hits but had 5 errors in the contest. Dawson DuMont had two home runs and a double to tatal 10 bases for the game. He drove in 6 runs in the contest. Espn Fisher also had 3 hits including a triple for the Pirates. Landon Shoumake and Cymian Kauley paced the Pirates on the mound. J. Polumbus had a home run for Whitefish. J. McIntyre was the losing pitcher for Whitefish. Polson is now 11-2 overall and 5-0 in conference action.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Polson remains undefeated in conference action
Jarrett Wilson pitched and went 2 for 2 at the plate with a double leading the Pirates to another conference victory. The game was shortened by the run rule. Polson is now 12-2 overall and 6-0 in conference action.
Thursday, May 4th, 2023
Kroger throws no hitter, Columbia Falls downs Polson 1-0
Kellen Kroger three a seven-inning no-hitter as Columbia Falls toughed out a 1-0 home win over Polson on Thursday. He struck out 14 batters and was prevented from attaining a perfect game due to one walk he issued and one error his defense committed. Talon Murphy scored the lone run, which was unearned. Polson pitcher Dawson DuMont gave up one run on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts in six innings.
Polson is now 12-3 overall and and remains 6-0 in conference action.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Polson downs Eureka in tight game
Espn Fisher pitched a complete game and Polson broke open close contest scoring 3 runs in the top of the 7th inning to down the Lions 5-1 at Eureka Tuesday evening. Two Eureka pitchers combined to strike out 12 Polson batters and allowed 0 earned runs. Espn Fisher struck out 11 batters in a complete game effort for the Pirates. Jarrett Wilson went 2-2 accounting for half the Pirate hits. Dawson Dumont doubled for the ony extra base hit of the game. Polson is now 13-3 overall and and remains 6-0 in conference action.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Pirates cruise on Senior Night
Jarrett Wilson allowed no-hits and struck out 4 Browning Indians in a run rule shortened 19-0 win on Senior Night in Polson. The Pirates had 16 hits including 5 doubles, two by Dawson Dumont. Polson is now 14-3 overall and and remains 6-0 in conference action.
Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament
at Whitefish
Friday, May 12, 2023
Polson blanks Corvallis
Polson opened the tournament with a 5-0 shutout of Corvallis. Dawson Dumont went innings allowing 0 runs and no hits while striking out 9 Corvallis batters. Cymian Kauley completed the shutout with pitching 3 scoreless innings. The Pirates recorded 4 doubles in the game. Polson is now 15-3 overall and remains 6-0 in conference action.
Game 2
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Pirates swat Yellowjackets
Polson is now 16-3 overall and remains 6-0 in conference action.
Thursday-Saturday, May 18-20, 2023
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Game 3 - Championship
Fisher pitches, hits Polson to state title
By FRITZ NEIGHBOR Daily Inter Lake
BUTTE — They didn’t announce a most valuable player at the first-ever Montana All-Class State Baseball Tournament, but if they did, it would likely be Espn Fisher.
The Polson junior threw a solid seven innings Saturday, helped his own cause with a bases-loaded triple and is a big reason the Pirates are state champs with a 10-4 win over Whitefish.
Under hazy skies at 3 Legends Stadium, Fisher struck out nine while the Pirates (19-3) beat the Bulldogs (18-3) for the second time in two matchups this season.
“He was a dude today,” said Brad Fisher, Polson’s head coach and Espn’s dad. “We talked about it — we talked plenty of times about what our goal was at the end of the year. He knew he was going to get on the mound and shove. And hit. I’m really proud of him.”
Fisher closed out Polson’s 6-4 first-round win on Thursday, and on Saturday reached the Montana High School Association pitch limit — 110 pitches — on his first delivery to Whitefish 3-hole hitter Jake McIntyre with two out in the seventh.
McIntyre flew out to center to end it.
“We needed to do a better job getting deeper in counts,” offered Whitefish coach Kyler Blades. “But he didn’t let us. He pounded the zone and kept off-balance. What an awesome job.
“That last pitch was his limit — 110. I know he can finish the batter and everything, but throwing 45 pitches on Thursday, catching Friday, throwing 110 today — wow.”
The Bulldogs got to the final by throwing their two best pitchers, Jacob Polumbus and Ty Schwaiger, the first two days. Each threw a complete game; Schwaiger, an extremely hard thrower, was backed by 14 runs.
That left Whitefish to throw a “bullpen game,” at Polson Saturday. Put another way, it was a catcher’s duel between Fisher and the Bulldogs’ everyday backstop, Fynn Ridgeway.
Ridgeway fanned two Pirates in the first inning but walked three in the second. With two outs, Fisher came up and stroked a fastball to the wall in right-center, putting his team ahead 4-1.
“I knew it was coming because last at-bat, he pumped three right by me,” Fisher said. “I was like, ‘He might throw it again.’ I just sat back, threw my hands at it and hit it pretty good.”
Fisher soon came in on a wild pitch and it was 5-1. After Dawson DuMont drew yet another walk, Ridgeway gave way to reliever Clayton Godsey.
Polson kept pushing: Jarrett Wilson hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning; DuMont hit a two-run triple in the sixth. DuMont came in on Cody Haggard’s single for a 10-4 lead.
In between the Bulldogs put up three runs in the fifth, getting four straight two-out singles off Fisher. Schwaiger’s two-run liner up the middle cut the gap to 6-4, but Fisher then settled down.
“We just tried to keep it positive and said, hey, let’s just go win the inning,” said Brad Fisher. “Keep doing what you do and it will work out for us.”
Maddox Muller scored twice for Whitefish. Ridgeway recorded four of his five outs on the mound via strikeout. Schwaiger, who threw 88 pitches Friday, had two of his team’s eight hits.
“We went with our guy (Friday),” Blades noted. “And we were confident in Fynn today (but) he’s only pitched a couple times all year. And you know, a lot of these guys were put in positions they haven’t been in before. Our second baseman hasn’t played in 3-4 years, our third baseman hadn’t played in 3-4 years — and we had a blast around each other.
“And that’s what it’s about at the end of the day, having a lot of fun playing baseball.”
Quite a few of these players will turn around and play Legion ball: Whitefish feeds the Glacier Twins, and Polson does the same for the Mission Valley Mariners. “Matter of fact, we’re going to start tomorrow,” said Brad Fisher, who coaches the Mariners.
Twenty-one teams began the MHSA’s inaugural baseball season and eight made it to Butte. Two Northwest Montana teams battled for gold.
“This was overall just such a positive thing for baseball, in the Flathead Valley and the community,” Blades said. “I am humbled and blessed to be a part of it, and can’t wait to see it grow.”
Fynn Ridgeway, Clayton Godsey (2), Logan Kunz (7) and Jacob Polumbus, Ridgeway (2). Espn Fisher and Holden Emerson.
WHITEFISH — Polumbus 1-3, Maddox Muller 1-3, Jake McIntyre 1-4, Ty Schwaiger 2-3, Godsey 0-3, Ridgeway 0-2, Kunz 0-3, Josiah Ruther 0-3, Mack McLaughlin 1-2, Christian Schwaderer 0-1.
POLSON — Jarrett Wilson 1-3, Fisher 2-4, Dawson DuMont 2-3, Cody Haggard 2-4, Emerson 1-4, Aiden Gfroerer 1-3, Landon Pablo 0-3, Cymian Kauley 0-2, Landon Shoemake 0-1.
3B — Fisher, Wilson, DuMont. RBIs — Schwaiger 2, McIntyre, Fisher 3, DuMont 2, Wilson, Haggard, Gfroerer.
Thursday, March 18, 2023
Game 3 - Championship
Pirates win! Pirates Win!
Polson 6, Eureka 4
Playing in their first ever state baseball tournament Polson came through when it counted the most.
Both the Lions and Pirates turned in big fifth innings, but Polson's scores proved to be decisive.
The Pirates outscored Eureka 4-3 in the fifth to go up 6-4 for what ended up being the final score. Polson will face Florence-Carlton in a 9:30 a.m. semifinal on Friday while Eureka will take on Butte in a loser-out game at noon.
Polson scored in the bottom of the first and led Eureka 2-1 heading into the high-scoring fifth inning.
Sophomore left fielder Landon Shoemake led the Pirates with two RBIs on two hits and Jarrett Wilson scored three runs. Relief pitcher Espn Fisher earned the win with 2.2 innings pitched.
Eureka was led by a three-hit, two-RBI two-run performance from Tristan Butts.
Polson will play Florence-Carlton at 9:30am in the state semifinals on Friday. The game is scheduled to start at 9:30am in Legends stadium.
Friday, May 19, 2023
Game 2 - Semifinals
Polson, Whitefish to meet for first-ever championship
BUTTE — The championship game of the first-ever high school state baseball tournament is set.
Polson, which entered the tourney as the No. 1 seed out of the West division, will clash with Whitefish — the No. 1 seed out of the Northwest — in the title game at 3 Legends Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Pirates fended off Florence-Carlton in the first semifinal before Whitefish rolled through Hamilton in the second semi.
Polson 5, Florence-Carlton 4
The Polson Pirates secured their spot in the title game by holding off the Florence-Carlton Falcons late in the game.
The Falcons took the first lead of the game, but Polson quickly tied it up and never relinquished the lead once it captured it in the second inning.
Polson scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, which was ultimately enough to hold off the Falcons' comeback attempt.
Dawson DuMont was on the mound for the Pirates and was a force throughout the game. He pitched six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits while tossing nine strikeouts.
"He (DuMont) is one of our best-kept secrets. We knew by the end of this weekend people will know who he is before we leave. He's been our leader all year, he hits the ball a ton and today he got on the mound and chucked it pretty well. I'm really proud of him," Polson head coach Brad Fisher said.
DuMont gave himself run support as well, driving in two runs on two hits. Polson opened up a 5-1 lead after four innings of play.
The Florence offense came alive in the sixth inning to give itself a chance. Chase Wagner and Tyler Abbott each drove in a run to cut the deficit to 5-3, but the Falcons stranded runners on first and second base.
The Falcons scored another run in the seventh inning to make it a one-run game. In relief of DuMont and with the pressure on, Polson's Cason Graham closed out the game in the final inning.
"If that was yesterday I think we would've crumbled, we had a little more grit today. We knew we would hit some highs and lows, but we need to stay in between the high and low. They did that, they trusted what we've been working on," Fisher said.
