Newton HRs twice as Polson clips C-Falls

The Daily Inter Lake

POLSON - Sarah Newton belted home runs, both solo shots, in the first and fifth innings and pitched five innings to pick up the victory in leading Polson past Columbia Falls on Thursday, 10-5.

Newton, 3-0 on the season, gave up seven hits and struck out two.

Polson jumped in front 6-0 in the first inning in moving to 7-0 in league games, 11-0 overall.

Newton went 3-for-3 at the plate to power Polson's potent attack.

"Hitting wise, she played very well," said Polson coach Lary Smith of Newton.

"Two home runs, you couldn't ask for anything better than that. They were line shots."

Kayla Stinger homered in the fourth inning for Columbia Falls.

Polson was without the services of two standout players - Brittany Jones, an all-state catcher, and Dylen Zetterberg, and all-state pticher. Both are out with shoulder injuries, but could be in the lineup next week.

"Columbia Falls played a very good game," Smith said.

"They forced us into some errors, which is very uncommon for us. They hit the ball hard."

Polson's next action is Thursday, at Eureka.

Columbia Falls 110 300 0 - 5 10 5

Polson 600 013 x - 10 14 3

Jenni Johnson, Drew Walters (1) and Amber James; Sarah Newton, Dakota Peterson (6) and Caitlyn Vassar, Stacy Benson (3). W - Newton, 3-0 (7 hits, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks). L - Johnson.

Columbia Falls - Amanda Milliard 3-3, Amanda Richards 0-3, Tia Yaeger 0-1, Vanesha Riley 1-3, James 1-4, Walters 1-4, Kayla Stinger 2-4, Brittany White 2-2, Lindsey Nelson 0-3, Cedar Smith 0-3.

Polson - Kyla McDonald 1-4, Lindsey Rafter 2-4, Jaelyn Vandeberg 2-4, James 2-3, Kendra Woldstad 1-3, Newton 3-3, Peterson 0-1, Benson 1-4, Maggie Gordon 1-3, Natesha Arlint 1-3, Vassar 0-0.

2B-Walters, Stinger; Rafter; 3B-Vandeberg; HRs-Stinger; Newton (2); RBIs-Milliard, Riley, Stinger, Smith (2); Vandeberg (2), James, Woldstad, Newton (2), Benton.