Winslow takes no-hit bid into sixth; Loggers earn shutout
Jared Winslow pitched no-hit baseball for 5-2/3 innings Thursday as the Loggers defeated the Class A Lakers 4-0 in the first game of a double-header at Lee Gehring Field.
The Lakers rebounded in the nightcap, however, picking up a 13-6 victory and earning a split in the twinbill that was delayed a day for wet fields.
In a pair of subsequent double-headers, the Loggers swept a twinbill from the Missoula Mavs on Saturday, 6-0 and 14-13. In another pairing Sunday, Libby earned a split against the Bitterroot Sox 8-3 and lost 9-2.
In the game Thursday, Winslow, who is the Loggers right-handed ace, worked his fastball well, especially when getting two strikes on a batter.
“His out pitch is his fastball, right about here,” Loggers American Legion coach Kelly Morford said, gesturing with his right hand, palm downward across the letters on his chest.
Winslow took his no-hit bid into the sixth until Dalton Merideth measured a Winslow off-speed pitch for a slow-roller to shortstop that he beat out for a single.
“You can blame his coach for that one,” Morford mused after Winslow pitched out of the inning, giving up just the one hit at that point. “His coach (Morford) called for a changeup. We’ve been working on it.”
Winslow gave up two more hits in the seventh — back-to-back singles — to Jonathon Centner and Skyler Brown. Both of those runners, however, were stranded as Winslow got a Laker to pop out and then registered his 10th and 11th strikeouts to end the game.
In addition to the 11 strikeouts, Winslow allowed just one walk, facing just 27 batters in the seven-inning game. He threw 118 pitches, 74 of which were for strikes.
Laker coach Tim Severson said his squad was bothered by Winslow.
“We came out a little flat,” Lakers coach Tim Severson said. “Dalton made good contact, hitting it in the 5-6 hole. It was a tough defensive play,” Severson said of the play that ended Winslow’s no-hit bid in the sixth. “He’s legit. One of the best (pitchers) in the league.”
The Loggers scattered eight hits en route to the four-run total. Libby picked up single tallies in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings.
Logger centerfielder Luke Haggerty was the only player with multiple hits, picking up two. Single safeties were earned by Will Reichel, Winslow, Andrew Haggerty, Nic Robertson, Matt Willis and Creede Garcia. Winslow helped his own cause with two RBIs.
The Lakers’ Luke LaFontaine took the loss, giving up all eight hits. He struck out three and gave up one walk.