Loggers split doubleheader in Whitefish

The Libby Loggers split a doubleheader with the Glacier Twins, Wednesday, July 8.

The Loggers won the first game, 10-5 and handed the Twins their first conference loss of the season.

“Glacier is a really good team that has a lot of players back from their state championship team from last year and came into our games undefeated in conference,” Loggers manager, Kelly Morford said. “Needless to say, it was a really good win for us in that first game.”

The game was in a standstill until Trace Tamarro hit a three-run home run for the Loggers in the fourth inning. A few batters later Collin Johnson hit a two-run single to give the Loggers breathing room.

“It was kind of a stand off to start the game as far as who was going to get on the board first,” Morford said. “When Trace hit that three-run bomb, it allowed us to take a deep breath and play a little looser. Trace has really been swinging the bat well and has been a good catalyst for us the past few weeks.”

Jared Winslow made another start for the Loggers as he continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery.

“When we have Jared on the hill, we feel like we can beat anyone we face,” he said. “Glacier put the ball in play off Jared as good as anyone I have seen, so that is a credit as to how good of a team they have. Jared is working really hard on integrating more off speed pitches into his repertoire that he will need when he returns to college and that played apart of it for sure, but that is something we are willing to accept as he works his way back to full force.”

Morford was impressed with some of the plays his defense made in the first game.

“Our defense had to make some plays, so that was good to see,” he said.

The Loggers offense faced a tough pitcher in the first game and the manager was pleased to see the Loggers break through against him.

“The kid that they ran out on the mound against us is a really talented pitcher,” he said. “It was great to see our offense produce runs against him.”

Morford praised the pitching performance by Erik Lauer when he came in to pitch in relief of Winslow.

“Erik has been the guy that we have called on to come in and finish games after Jared and he has done a great job in that role,” Morford said. “He was pitching with a lead and just threw strikes, which is exactly what is needed in that situation.”

In the second game the Loggers got off to a slow start that they could not overcome, losing to the Twins, 7-1.  

“We got off to a slow start that we couldn’t overcome,” he said. “That game was a lot closer than the final score would indicate.”

The Loggers would have liked to take both games, but Morford was encouraged by his team’s performance.

“The fact that we could compete with a top team in the state like that for a doubleheader is very encouraging,” he said. “Hopefully we just keep getting better and prepare ourselves the best we can for the District Tournament.”

This weekend will mark the third straight weekend that the Loggers have played in a tournament.

“We are off to Lewistown for a tournament this weekend,” Morford said. “Harris Fields has always been a great park and they put millions into a renovation down there for this season. The boys and I are excited to go and play some different teams on a great field.”

Box Score Game 1

Loggers: 000 5320 10 10 4

Twins: 000 1220 5 6 5

Loggers Batting

2B: Oliver Grupenhoff

HR: Trace Tamarro

TB: Erik Lauer 2, Taylor Wisdom, Tamarro 4, Jared Winslow 2, Grupenhoff 4, Collin Johnson

RBI: Braydan Thom, Lauer, Tamarro 3, Grupenhoff, Johnson 2

Twins Batting

2B: Jesse Walburn

TB: Kyler Howke, Vinny Smith 2, Walburn 2, Austin Robbins 2

RBI: Triston Steinwand, Gretson Bistodeau

Box Score Game 2

Loggers: 100 0000 1 4 3

Twins: 400 120 7 12 1

Loggers Batting

2B: Luke Haggerty

TB; Mason Chapel, Haggerty 2, Erik Lauer, Jared Winslow

RBI: Winslow

Twins Batting

2B; Triston Steinwand, Austin Robbins 2

TB: Colten Parker, Jayce Fagerland 2, Jesse Walburn, Steinwand 3, James Sampson 2, Tyler Murphy 2, Robbins 4

RBI: Fagerland, Smith, Walburn 2, AJ Wetsch