Loggers split doubleheader with Bitterroot Red Sox
Hunter Hoover's toss to catcher Rusty Gillespie puts the squeeze on the Red Sox' Conner Erin for the third out top of seventh inning in the second of a doubleheader Tuesday evening. Loggers fall 7-4 in the nightcap. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)
A late throw to Red Sox catcher Paul Brenniman allows Tripp Zhang to steal home safely in the second of a doubleheader Tuesday evening. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)
Libby locked down the Bitterroot Red Sox in the first game of their June 15 doubleheader, but slipped in the nightcap.
The 6-12 Loggers won the opening game 10-0 within six-innings, but lost the second seven-inning game to the Hamilton-based ballclub 7-4.
During the first game, Libby built an early lead after Tucker Masters landed an RBI in the bottom of the first inning. In the bottom of the third, Aydan Williamson launched a ball deep into left field for an RBI double. A few at-bats later, Williamson stole home when Hamilton’s catcher fumbled the ball, putting the Loggers ahead 3-0.
Throughout the game, Libby’s defense worked efficiently to generate outs. During the top of the fourth inning, Caden Williams threw two strikeouts bringing the Loggers quickly back to the plate.
Williams had to take a break from pitching during a June 11 doubleheader against the Glacier Twins due to a sore arm. After the game against Hamilton, Williams said it felt good to get back on the mound.
Williams led the Loggers during the first game with five strikeouts and eight first-pitch strikes over five innings. Zane Brown, who pitched one inning for the Loggers, and Williams both had 1.00 WHIP.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, a ground rule double from Tripp Zhang allowed Kiye Jenkins to make it home. Masters stepped up to plate next and slugged a ball deep into centerfield for a double RBI. Williams landed another RBI double during the next at-bat bringing the score to 6-0.
The Loggers continued to lock Hamilton down over the next inning. When asked what allowed the Loggers to keep the Sox in check, Masters found that Libby’s strong offense made a good defense.
“You gotta roll it into the next inning,” added Williams.
The Loggers put the final nails in the coffin during the bottom of the sixth inning. Back at-bat with the bases loaded, Williams secured an RBI walk. A few at-bats later, an RBI from Aiden Rose brought Zhang home. Rusty Gillsepie finished the game off with a hit that brought home both Masters and Williams.
While the Loggers were able to put the barrel on the ball during the first game, Libby struggled to generate as many hits during the nightcap.
Libby secured one run in the first, third, sixth and seventh innings. While Hamilton initially fell behind, the Sox secured one run in the third, four in the fourth and one in the fifth.
Tripp Zhang and Zane Brown held down the mound for the Loggers during the nightcap. Brown pitched five strikeouts and Zhang secured one strikeout. Over three innings, Zhang secured 12 first-strike pitches and Brown landed seven first-strike pitches.
The Loggers were scheduled to play Kootenai Valley on Thursday after The Western News print deadline.