Mariners tip Lakers in Harp title game

The Daily Inter Lake

Brandon Thompson homered in the first inning with one runner on and then pitched a 3-hitter as Mission Valley blanked Kalispell 2-0 Sunday in the championship game of the John R. Harp Class A American Legion baseball tournament at Griffin Field.

Thompson (5-1) finished with 14 strikeouts, fanning two batters in every inning. He gave up a double and a single to Toby Leichti and a single to Austin Roehl.

Mission Valley did all of its scoring in the first inning. Eric Locke singled to center field with one out and Thompson, who went 3-for-3, drilled a two-out home run to right field.

Thompson leads the Mariners with eight HRs on the season. He also doubled in the contest.

This was the third tournament title for the Mariners, who are now 43-7 overall.

Mission Valley entertains the Black Hills Lobos today at noon.

Kalispell 000 000 0 - 0 3 1

Mission Valley 200 000 x - 2 5 1

Brian Sneck and Zach Brosten; Brandon Thompson and John Rausch. W - Thompson, 5-1 (3 hits, 14 strikeouts, 3 walks, 2 hit batters). L - Sneck.

Kalispell - Ben Sansaver 0-4, Drew Forster 0-4, Toby Leichti 2-4, Brosten 0-3, Austin Roehl 1-1, Reid Buckley 0-2, Chase Decker 0-3, Darin Olson 0-3, Josh Stratton 0-2.

Mission Valley - Kyle Brown 1-3, Eric Locke 1-3, Tim Rausch 0-3, Thompson 3-3, Will Gordon 0-3, Tyler Linse 1-2, Cubby Pierre 0-2, Nick Fell 0-2, J. Rausch 0-2.

2B-Leichti; Thompson; HR-Thompson; RBIs-Thompson (2).