Twins roll at Sapa-Johnsrud tourney

WHITEFISH - After splitting two games in which they often trailed, the Twins built an early cushion and sat on it for a relatively painless victory.

Scott Yogodzinski and Michael Hader turned in strong mound performances as the Class AA Glacier Twins beat the Pullman Patriots 7-4 Thursday night at the 23rd Annual Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Baseball Tournament at Memorial Park.

Yogodzinski started, striking out five while allowing three earned runs to earn the win. Hader relieved him in the sixth innings, tossing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief.

Pullman's Thomas Jacobs and Travis Cooper reached base in the seventh inning, but Hader fanned catcher Jake Druffel to end the game.

Yogodzinski escaped an early jam, surrendering a single and a walk to start the game before inducing a fly out and ground-ball double play to finish the inning unscathed.

Glacier wasted no time building a lead as its first two batters reached base and scored. Left fielder Scott Palmer led off with a sharp single before scoring on first baseman Justin Collom's bases-loaded walk. Shortstop Roo Grubb, who reached on a walk, scored one batter later on a groundout by designated hitter Weston Chambers.

The Twins led 4-0 after third baseman Zane Ridings and catcher Ryan Caron smacked RBI singles in the fourth inning, plating Collom and Chambers.

Glacier capped its scoring with three runs in the fifth inning. Nos. 2-4 hitters Grubb, second baseman Brad Bell and Collom each scored after being hit by pitches to load the bases. Chambers singled to score Grubb and Bell before Ridings delivered another clutch RBI single.

Glacier and Pullman notched eight hits apiece, including a triple by Palmer and a double by Patriots right fielder Marty Guettinger.

The Twins improved to 2-1 in American Division tournament pool play and 23-24 overall on the American Legion season. They face Gonzaga Prep this morning at 10 at Sapa-Johnsrud Field in Columbia Falls.

Pullman 000 013 0 - 4 8 0

Glacier 200 230 0 - 7 8 2

Matthew Johnson, Tyler Druffel (5) and Jake Druffel. Scott Yogodzinski, Michael Hader (6) and Ryan Caron and Brad Bell (6).

PULLMAN (NA) - Justin Erwin 1-3, Cody Herman 1-3, Marty Guettinger 1-3, Ryan Druffel 1-4, Thomas Jacobs 1-3, Nathan Johnson 1-4, Travis Cooper 1-2, M. Johnson 0-2, T. Druffel 0-1, J. Druffel 1-3.

GLACIER (23-24) - Scott Palmer 2-4, Roo Grubb 0-1, Bell 0-2, Justin Collom 1-1, Weston Chambers 1-2, Zane Ridings 2-3, Rusty Hill 0-2, Caron 1-3, Justin Goode 1-3.

RBIs - Pull. 3 (R. Druffel, J. Druffel, Herman), Gla. 6 (Chambers 2, Ridings 2, Collom, Caron). 3B - Pull. 0, Gla. 1 (Palmer). 2B - Pull. 0 (Guettinger), Gla. 0. SB - Pull. 2 (Erwin, Jacobs), Gla. 1 (Palmer).

-----

Thursday's Other Games

Gonzaga Prep 8, Black Hills 1

Chino 10, Lethbridge 9

Apple Valley 7, Pullman 6