Logger baseball falls in extras

A 10th-inning run scored on a double steal from first and third base proved too much for the Libby Loggers as they lost 7-6 to the Kootenai Valley Rangers on Friday night at Lee Gehring Field.

The Loggers, who recorded seven hits compared to Kootenai Valley’s, committed eight errors while the Rangers committed two.

“We didn’t make enough plays defensively,” Libby Coach Kelly Morford said. “We had a few chances to win the game offensively, and didn’t get it done.”

With the game tied 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Libby had runners on second and third, with no outs. But a flyout and two consecutive strikeouts kept the Loggers off the scoreboard.  

Logger Will Reichel started on the mound and went 3-for-5 at the plate, scoring two runs with four RBIs. Reichel gave up four hits in his four innings pitched, surrendering only one run and striking out seven batters.

Austin Perez, Kootenai Valley’s ace, started on the mound for Rangers. Perez held the Loggers hitless until the fourth inning.

Reichel said Perez’s off-speed pitches, such as his knuckle-curve, make him tough to hit.

Perez gave up only two runs and four hits in his six innings pitched. He also hit 2-for-4, driving in two runs and scoring the first run of the game.

Perez opened the fourth inning by drawing a walk. After stealing second and advancing to third on a fielder’s choice, he recorded the game’s first tally on a passed ball pitched by Reichel.

The Loggers would answer in the bottom of the fourth when Reichel crossed home, the first of four times that Libby was able to respond to Kootenai’s offense.

“I think it was a good sign that we were able to keep coming back after we gave up runs,” Morford said. “We were just never able to break through.”

The Loggers did not hold the lead at any point during the game.  

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Loggers responded when Reichel blooped one into right-center, scoring two runs.  

In the bottom of the seventh, trailing 6-4, Libby responded again when Reichel ripped one over the center fielder’s head, driving in Cameron Burkes, who scored twice on the day. Reichel scampered all the way around the bases for an inside-the-park homerun.

“I’ve never done that, except in Little League,” Reichel said. “That is the farthest I’ve ever hit the ball.”

For the next two innings both teams were held scoreless, with Libby relief pitcher Ryan Huffman striking out five consecutive batters.  

The Loggers had three runners in scoring position in the last three innings, but were unable to take advantage.

“We need to take advantage of those situations,” Morford said. “We didn’t do the little things right.”