Twins overwhelm Loggers

Whitcomb, Paulson, Bell smack two hits each for Glacier

WHITEFISH - Glacier's dramatic transformation was obvious Wednesday as the Twins pounded visiting Libby 12-2 in an American Legion game at Memorial Field.

The Twins overwhelmed the Loggers for seven innings before American Legion's 10-run mercy rule brought the game to an early halt.

Glacier began its season with a 1-9 record, but the Twins have won six of their last 11 contests.

While the Twins overall record (7-21) isn't impressive, they dominated Libby offensively and defensively - a sign that many more wins should follow.

"We did what we should do today, and that's good," said Glacier head coach Jack Helber. "We didn't let up or anything."

Twins starting pitcher Scott Yogodzinski cruised through five efficient innings, allowing just two runs while striking out seven Loggers en route to the win.

Glacier's offense needed just two innings to do its damage, scoring five runs in the third inning and seven more in the fourth.

The Twins scored seven runs off of Loggers starter Steve Bertelsen in just over three innings, doing so with only four hits. Bertelsen walked three batters and hit four more with pitches.

Glacier's comfortable lead allowed the Twins to clear their bench by the fifth inning.

"We wound up playing everybody, so if something would have happened we would have been in trouble, but I wanted to try and get everybody some action." Helber said.

But lopsided scores can pose problems for the pitchers they benefit.

Yogodzinski allowed his only two runs in the fifth inning, after his team had built a 12-0 cushion.

"It is kind of hard to stay focused, but I just try to throw strikes when we get those big leads and make them hit it," Yogodzinkski said. "I pretty much threw just fastballs once we got that big lead, and made them beat me, instead of me beating myself."

Helber credited a sense of stability for his team's recent improvement.

"Our pitching has straightened out a little bit, and we've settled on what we want to do with certain guys as far as pitching goes, and filled those roles, and I think that's been a key," Helber said. "Our hitting has come on real well too."

Glacier's defense was solid all night, highlighted by a first inning double play that relieved Yogodzinski of an early jam.

"Throughout the year I've gained more confidence in my defense, so now when they put it in play I feel like they're going to make the plays for me," Yogodzinski said.

Shortstop Byron Whitcomb, left fielder Jesse Paulson, and second baseman Brad Bell lead Glacier's offense with two hits each. Designated hitter Josh Peterson lead the Twins with three runs batted in.

Yogodzinski attributed the Twins' turnaround to two mid-season acquisitions: Pitcher Phillipe LeCoureuix and pitching coach Greg May.

"Our pitching has been a lot better as a whole," Yogodzinski said. "In the beginning of the year we were giving up double-digit runs every time."

Glacier has a week off before playing host to Kootenai Valley on Wednesday.