The annual best-of-three softball series between Blaine Country police officers and firefighters swung the blue team’s way Saturday at O’Donnell Park in Bellevue.
In the “Guns and Hoses” coed slow-pitch softball tournament, the Police prevailed for the first time in the fourth annual tilt, winning the first game 11-8 and the decisive third contest, 9-8. The Firefighters claimed the middle game 17-12.
Lt. Bryan Carpita of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office remarked, “Every year is close, but this was our year. In the last game we pretty much stayed ahead most of the way through it, though it was definitely close.”
The two teams fielded 26 players between them. Phil Rummel of the Guns led all batters with a perfect 10-for-10 day at the plate and seven runs scored.
The Guns and Hoses games are held with the specific goal of benefitting area youth. In 2019, the tournament raised nearly $2,000 and a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Wood River High School Senior Bash, with some set aside for future use.