Too many walks drop Loggers to .500

The Libby Loggers Legion baseball team fell to .500 on Tuesday as the hard-swinging Kootenai Valley Rangers won 9-5 at home.

The Loggers put together four runs in the last inning, but the game seemed to slip away from Libby because of some pitching issues and offensive breakdowns.

Micah Germany earned the loss, allowing six runs in 1-2/3 innings pitched, digging a hole early with four hits and six walks to finish with an ERA of 32.40.

Libby’s pitchers walked 12 batters and committed two errors, allowing the Rangers to capitalize.

Not that it was easy for the Loggers offensively, as Ryan Holder struck out 15 Libby batters and allowed only one hit (although he did walk eight).

Holder held up his end at the plate as well, going 4-for-5 with five RBIs and two scored runs. Rangers shortstop Bryton Guckenberg also had a good day, with three hits, four runs scored, and two RBIs.

The Loggers will have to improve on their three hits when they play a double-header against the Rangers on Wednesday night.