Loggers defeat Rangers; Germany boosts Reichel to first win
<p>Andrew Haggerty steals third base just ahead of the tag of Bandits third baseman Ryan Phillips in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday in the first of a doubleheader.</p>
<p>Two RBI base hit for Oliver Grupenhoff in the bottom of the 2nd vs. Kootenai Valley Rangers Wednesday evening.</p>
Micah Germany swatted in four runs and helped right-hander Wil Reichel earn his first victory of the season last Wednesday as the Loggers picked up a 7-2 American Legion baseball divisional victory over the Kootenai Valley Rangers.
In addition to Germany, third baseman/right fielder Oliver Grupenhoff supplied the rest of the offense, as “Ollie,” as he is called by his teammates, knocked in the other three runs to account for all of Libby’s scoring.
“Reichel has showed us some good things out of the bullpen, so we gave him the start,” Logger coach Kelly Morford said. “He’s gone from 3-Dog to Bulldog No. 3,” Morford said, a reference to the No. 3 Reichel wears on his back.
The victory marked the Loggers’ third in succession and moved them to a 6-8 record overall. It also marked Libby’s second victory of the season over the Rangers, who are an impressive 16-6.
“We actually have been playing pretty well,” said Kootenai Rangers coach Brent Holder. “A lot of our kids are wounded right now. That’s the reason we’ve been limiting our guys to just 25 pitches.”
Holder said he’s hoping to get his team well by the time his team begins divisional play, that counts toward the playoffs.
“It’s been tough, but we’re going to get better,” Holder said.
For Morford, he knows it’ll be difficult to post three consecutive victories over the Rangers, especially when it counts for divisional play.
“It will be tough, and we’ll probably see (their ace) Ryan Holder,” Morford said.
The Rangers broke out on top in the first inning with one run to take the early lead, but on Germany’s two-RBI single in the bottom of the inning, the Loggers took a lead they never relinquished.
With another pair of runs in the second and three more in the fourth, the Loggers established a 7-1 advantage that left the Rangers trying to figure out a way to catch up.
The Rangers added a tally in the top of the sixth, but it was not enough as the Loggers breezed to the victory.
Reichel pitched seven strong innings, giving just the two runs, getting seven strikeouts while walking just two.
Andrew Haggerty came in to pitch the final two innings, allowing just two hits, striking out two and walking none.
Morford said Haggerty’s controlled and finesse delivery has earned the respect of his teammates.
“We call him the Troy Funk,” Morford mused. “He’s great to come in to show the other team a change of pace for an inning or two.”
Morford also praised the improving defensive play of his team, which did not commit an error.
“It’s early, but we’re getting there,” Morford said. “I don’t like to have the guys peaking too early.”
Morford specifically mentioned the excellent diving catch of Logger centerfielder Luke Haggerty late in the game.
In play Saturday, the Loggers split a doubleheader, running their record to 7-8 with an 8-4 victory over the Rocky Mountain Bandits in the first game, but they dropped the second game, 7-4.