Polson sticks first loss on Corvallis

The Daily Inter Lake

FRENCHTOWN - Back-to-back doubles by Sarah Newton and Rochelle Woods in the third inning drove in three runs, and a solo home run in the fourth inning by Amanda James carried Polson (11-1) to a 4-2 nonconference Class A softball victory Friday over previously unbeaten Corvallis at the Frenchtown Invitational.

It was James' second homer of the season.

Corvallis (7-1) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on a two-out, full-count home run to left-center field by Kasie Conder with one runner on.

Polson retaliated quickly, scoring three times in the bottom half of the inning.

Dakota Peterson, who gave up the home run to Conder, led off with a single to right field. She was replaced at first base by courtesy runner Kodi Woods.

Charlee Jenson's sac bunt advanced Woods to second.

Maggie Gordon reached base on a dropped third strike by catcher Korie Conder. That allowed Woods to move to third.

After Staci Benson struck out, Sarah Newton doubled in Woods and Gordon. Rochelle Woods followed with a double to right-center to score Newton.

Peterson (8-1) picked up the victory in the circle. She gave up seven hits, but struck out six, issued one walk and hit one batter.

"It was just one of those balls Dakota wishes she had back," Polson coach Larry Smith said of her home run pitch.

"It got away from her. It was supposed to be a curveball outside, but it went over the middle. Conder got it all."

Smith said he was impressed with how Peterson handled the situation.

"I could tell when she walked in the dugout (she was mad)," he said. "It was nice to see her as the leadoff hitter (in the third inning). She took it out on the ball."

It was the second time these two teams met this month. Corvallis defeated Polson 4-3 on April 12 in Corvallis.

"We were ready for Conder (this time)," Smith said.

"She's probably the hardest thrower we will face all year, and she has a wicked rise ball."

Polson plays Hamilton, 10 a.m., and Anaconda, 4 p.m., in Frenchtown today.

Corvallis 002 000 0 - 2 7 2

Polson 003 100 0 - 4 8 1

Kasie Conder and Korie Conder and Dakota Peterson and Caitlyn Vassar. W - Peterson (8-1). L - Ka. Conder (7-1).

CORVALLIS (7-1) - BriAnna Brawley 2-4, Kylynn Pelkey 1-3, Ka. Coner 1-3, Markie Curley 1-3, Megan Auch 1-3, Syd Ewing 0-3, Patton 0-3, Amber Bradshaw 1-3, Angie Henderson 0-3.

POLSON (11-1) - Maggie Gordon 1-3, Staci Benson 1-2, Sarah Newton 1-3, Rochelle Woods 1-3, Vassar 0-3, Amanda James 2-3, Susan Perez-Tenas 1-3, Peterson 1-3, Charlee Jenson 0-2.

2B-Brawly; Newton, Woods; HR-Ka. Conder; James; RBIs-Ka. Con