Forget Moneyball, Mariners know how to have fun and win

POLSON — With a dugout of characters, the Mission Valley Mariners posted a 41-16 record going into the state tournament and winning a Legion district title.

“I can’t say enough about all of them,” head coach Jami Hanson said. “I love my kids, that’s all there is to it.”

Weathering an early 9-10 start, the Mariners found their stride and couldn’t be stopped the rest of the way. Except for the occasional vehicle problems.

While heading down to Hamilton for the district tournament, their bus broke down near Arlee.

After getting a replacement bus, the Mariners then had to pick up the Libby Legion team which also encountered bus problems in Missoula.

“We had Libby and Mission Valley bonding on a 45-passenger bus,” Hanson said.

Mission Valley went undefeated at districts to earn the No. 1 seed from the west at the state tournament.

“That’s when we came together the most as a team,” player Chris Alfiero said.

Their venerable team bus broke down on the way to the state tournament as well, causing the superstitious baseball players to assume a good omen had happened.

“We kind of thought we would win if our bus broke down at state,” player William Wallace said.

While they didn’t bring home a state title, the Mission Valley did produce one Div. I pitcher in Kyle Bagnell, who signed with Oklahoma State later in the fall.

If the Mariners continue to produce seasons like they have been, Bagnell might find himself with some company at the big-time college baseball level.