Loggers win two, drop two during Lewiston tournament
The Libby Loggers traveled across the state border last weekend for the Clancy Ellis Tournament in Lewiston, Idaho. The Loggers went 2-2 in American Legion baseball play, toppling their first two opponents by substantial margins before ending their three-game winning streak with two losses to close out the tournament.
The Loggers began the weekend tourney with a matchup against the Lewiston Twins. Catcher Oliver Grupenhoff swatted a grand slam in the first inning to start off the tourney with a bang. The Loggers scored another four in the following inning, before extending the deficit another nine runs in the fourth inning. With only 10 hits, Libby won the contest 18-10 in five innings.
In the second day of tournament play, the Loggers took on the home team Lewis & Clark Cubs. Winning pitcher Will Reichel allowed no runs on five hits from the Cubs, while taking a score of his own in the third inning. Logger shortstop Micah Germany went 3-for-4 at the plate and batted for two RBIs, helping the Loggers to finish 7-0 against the Cubs.
Then, 29-16 overall, the Loggers lost their touch in Saturday’s game against the Braves of Nampa, Idaho.
The Braves gained an early lead in the first inning by second baseman Kory Hamilton, who got to first on a walk. The Loggers struggled on offense, as Luke Haggerty was caught stealing in the first inning while his brother Andrew was thrown out during a double play that also sent Grupenhoff back to the dugout. Left fielder Josh Foote scored the Loggers’ only run late in the sixth inning, as the Loggers fell to Nampa 1-2 in seven innings.
Sunday did not bode any better for the Loggers, who played Moscow Blue Devils in their final game of the tournament.
While the Loggers collected six hits in seven innings, only two batters made it home, including second baseman Dylan Lane in the third inning and Jared Winslow in the sixth.
The Loggers held Lane’s one-run lead until the fifth inning, before the Moscow came back, winning 3-2.
The Loggers look to end a two-game losing streak Wednesday in Hamilton against the Red Sox.