by Mikayln Brickley
The seasons for both of our local legion baseball teams came to a close this past weekend. The Bitterroot Red Sox and the Bitterroot Bucs traveled to Missoula to compete in the 2021 Western A District Tournament, and unfortunately neither of the teams will be heading to state.
To kick off the double elimination tournament, there was a valley matchup as the Sox and Bucs went head to head Thursday night. In a great game, the Bucs came out on top with a score of 6-5. The score was tied at 5 as they entered the bottom of the 7th until the Bucs’ Colby Kohlman singled to right field, scoring Troy Larson.
Mitch Spinetta started on the mound for the Red Sox, collecting 3 strikeouts, as well as leading the team in hits with two. Brendan Schneider and Colby Kohlman both collected multiple hits for the Bucs. Troy Larson took the mound for the Bucs at the start of the night, allowing four hits and two strikeouts.
The Red Sox went on to play the Kalispell Lakers Friday afternoon, and ended up losing, 11-7. After falling behind seven runs early in the second inning, the Sox couldn’t make their way back despite out-hitting the Lakers 11 hits to their 9. Bridger Huxtable, Aaron Springer, and Paul Brenneman led the Sox in hits, each collecting two.
After defeating the Sox, the Bitterroot Bucs faced the Mission Valley Mariners on Friday evening. The game went into an extra inning, with the score being tied at 3. Unfortunately, the Mariners scored two in the 8th and the Bucs failed to answer with runs of their own. They lost the game, 5-3.
The Bucs then played the Missoula Mavericks Saturday morning. With the Mavs getting an early lead in the first inning, the Bucs struggled to put runs on the board, losing 11-3. In what was the last game of their season, Zach Christopherson threw three innings, allowing one run and earning four strikeouts. Colby Kohlman led the Bucs in hits, collecting two.