Sapa-Johnsrud tourney in its 23rd year

The Daily Inter Lake

The Kalispell Lakers will have the honor of opening the 23rd Annual Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Baseball Tournament today with a 9 a.m. outing versus the Oakley Monster Dogs at Memorial Park in Whitefish.

The Glacier Twins will close out the first day of action at 8 p.m. versus the Tumwater Lobos, also at Memorial Park.

This year's field consists of two five-team pools. All teams will play four games before Saturday's championship round.

The Glacier Twins are in the American Division pool along with Gonzaga Prep, Tumwater Lobos, Pullman Patriots and Apple Valley Packers.

In the National Division it's the Kalispell Lakers, Lethbridge Alberta Elks, Spokane Dodgers, Chino Reds and Oakley Monster Dogs.

All games are scheduled for seven innings with the 10-run rule in effect after five complete innings.

Glacier and Kalispell both had tough tournaments here a year ago, going 1-3 in pool play.

"It (tournament) brings in some pretty good competition," Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said.

"We just want to try and build some momentum going into the final two weeks of the conference season and do a little better job executing defensively."

Kalispell holds a 23-23 mark overall and is 5-11 in league play.

Malmin said Adam Olson will get the start today while Zach Davis will pitch Wednesday's game, 11:45 a.m. versus the Chino Reds.

Glacier brings a 21-23 mark into today's game and is 6-7 in league games.

"Always, very competitive teams (play in this tournament)," said Glacier Twins coach Jarod Grubb.

Grubb is undecided who will pitch for Glacier tonight and on Wednesday.

"All our starters need some rest," he said. "It might be by committee."

Grubb said the team will concentrate on intensity and mental focus for the tournament.

"We have certain things we want to emphasize for (the upcoming) conference games. Now is a good time to work on them.

"We're fired up to make it to state this year," he added.

"We have a great chance."

Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament

23rd annual

Today's Schedule

Pool Play

Memorial Park in Whitefish

9 a.m. - Kalispell Lakers vs. Oakley Monster Dogs

11:45 a.m. - Gonzaga Prep vs. Apple Valley Packers

2:30 p.m. - Spokane Dodgers vs. Chino Reds

5:15 p.m. - Pullman Patriots vs. Tumwater Lobos

8 p.m. - Glacier Twins vs. Tumwater Lobos