Mariners hope for smooth sailing at state

By DAVID LESNICK

The Daily Inter Lake

Now that Mission Valley has accomplished its two goals for the season - posting 50 victories and qualifying for state - the pressure is off.

"They can relax a little bit and have fun," said Mission Valley coach Jami Hanson.

"Try and get the job done better."

What lies ahead for the Mariners is the Class A state tournament, which gets under way today at Cobb Field in Billings. They open up against the Glendive Blue Devils at 4 p.m.

Mission Valley is the No. 2 seed from the West while Glendive is the top seed from the East.

The state winner advances to regional play in Sheridan, Wyo.

"I like our chances," said Hanson.

"We have a talented team. We have kids who have worked hard and played pretty well together."

The Mariners are averaging close to 10 runs a game and sport a hefty batting average of .365.

The Mariners have clubbed 29 home runs, led by Brandon Thompson's 13. A year ago, he swatted 17.

Thompson also leads the team in hitting with his .508 average.

Three more Mariners are hitting over .400 - Eric Locke, .413; Jake Bosley, .411; and Chris Brown, .411.

"Our bats have been on fire all year," Hanson said.

"These kids have swung well."

The Mariners showed their offensive power a week ago when they slammed 31 hits in a 25-24 victory at the Western A District tournament. They finished second to earn a trip to state.

"We can be explosive offensively," Hanson said.

Locke leads the Mariners in doubles with 20, Thompson is tops in RBIs with 79, while Tim Gauthier has four triples and 36 stolen bases, both team highs.

This marks the Mariners first state appearance since 2003 despite posting an impressive 137-62 record the last three years.

The Mariners are towing a 50-16 mark to Billings this year. They are 5-5 versus Class AA competition.

Last year the Mariners went 41-23 and the year before, 46-23.

"We have a solid core of kids," Hanson said.

"They get along real well. There are no vocal leaders, they all lead by example.

"It's not a team that bickers a lot," Hanson continued.

"They deal with it on the field and then let it go. That's where it stops."

Five Mariners have been members of the team since 2004. They are: Tyler Trudeau, shortstop; Thompson, first base/catcher/pitcher; Locke, outfield/first base/pitcher; Will Gordon, outfield; and Gauthier, outfield.

Jake Whetzel, catcher, and Bosley, outfield/pitcher, have been on the roster for two of those three years.

"We've got talent," said Hanson.

"I think pitching wise, we were a little concerned at the beginning of the year. We lost so much from last year, but they have stepped up."

Trudeau or Thompson will most likely get the call against Glendive.

Both pitchers are right-handers.

"Tyler (Trudeau) works fast," Hanson said.

"His go-to (pitch) is definitely his curve ball. His fast ball is explosive; you don't know when it will take off. If Tyler is on, he's not very hitable."

Thompson, on the other hand, throws hard. At 6-foot-7, 245-pounds, he can intimidate hitters.

"He has pretty good control on his curve ball also," Hanson said.

Thompson owns a 10-2 record with a 1.89 ERA. He has fanned 118 hitters while allowing 47 hits in 72 1/3 innings.

Trudeau is 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA. He has struck out 50 and allowed 39 hits in 37 1/3 innings.