Loggers lose pair in doubleheader

The Libby Loggers Legion baseball team lost both games of their doubleheader Wednesday night against the Glacier Twins.  

Libby lost 3-2 in the first seven-inning game and was unable to score in the second game, losing 3-0.

Coach Kelly Morford said his team was much improved defensively.

“On the day, we played really good baseball,” Morford said, despite losing both games. “I hope we can continue this upward trend.”

In the first game, Libby was down 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning with a runner in scoring position, but were unable to bring him in. Center fielder Cameron Burkes reached first base on a walk and then stole second base. Third baseman Luke Haggerty ripped one into left field giving Burkes a chance to score, but Burkes was thrown out at home to end the game.

Morford said he is going to send his lead-off batter home in that situation every time.

“That is a risk we are willing to take,” Morford said. “The kid came up and made a good throw.”

Burkes went 2-for-3 in the first game and scored both of the Loggers’ runs. Haggerty finished the game 2-for-4.

The Twins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after Colten Parker led of the inning with a triple. A Logger error brought him home and after two more hits by Glacier another runner crossed the plate.

The Loggers would answer in the third.

Burkes singled and advanced to second. Burkes then moved to third on a wild pitch and an error by the Twins pitcher Austin Robbins put Libby on the board.

Robbins threw a complete game, allowing only one earned run and striking out six batters.

“We’re swinging at pitches outside the strike zone,” Morford said. “We need to improve hitting off-speed pitches.”

Glacier would score one more run in the third, and Libby would remain scoreless until the fifth inning.

Burkes once again reached home on a single by Haggerty, a combination that was in full force in the first game.

In the second game, both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Glacier got on the board.

Three Twins hits, coupled with three Loggers errors led to a 2-0 Glacier lead.  

“There is some stuff we need to fix defensively,” Morford said. “We aren’t making as many errors, but those small differences are the difference between winning and losing.”

Glacier would increase their lead to 3-0 with another run in the fifth inning.

Libby finished the second game with only one hit.

Haggerty and Ryan Huffman both pitched in the second game. Haggerty allowed two runs on four hits, and Huffman allowed only one hit and no earned runs.

The Loggers compete in the Helena Tournament this weekend, playing one game Friday and two Saturday.