Glacier Prep 2-1 in regional tourney

The Daily Inter Lake

KELSO, Wash. - Bruised and battered and still hanging in there.

The Glacier Prep All-Stars toughed out a 12-7 baseball victory Thursday over Hazel Dell Metro from Vancouver, Wash., at the 2008 13-year-old Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament.

Glacier is now 2-1 in pool play and faces Meridan, Idaho, today at 1:30 p.m. Meridan is also 2-1. The winner advances to the championship round.

Glacier opened the tournament Monday with a come-from-behind 11-10 victory over Calgary. On Tuesday, Glacier lost to Kelso, the tournament hosts, 8-2. Kelso is 2-0 in pool play.

Glacier did not play Wednesday.

Glacier scored five runs in the first inning against Hazel Dell Metro. Jake Mitich had the key hit in the inning, doubling with the bases loaded for three RBIs. Dell Metro closed to 7-5, but Glacier scored five times in the fourth to put it away.

Mitich also singled in the contest. Colin King and Austin Martin had two singles each for Glacier.

Peter Seymour pitched the first three innings with Mitich going the final four.

"We're down to eight healthy bodies," Glacier coach Eric May said. "With all these injuries, the kids are stepping up for their wounded teammates."

Jace Kalbfleisch broke his hand in Tuesday's game. The shortstop was diving for a pop fly when he suffered the injury. Kalbfleisch was also the team's leadoff batter and top pitcher.

Dyllon Parker, a utility player, broke the pinkie finger on this throwing hand in Monday's game.

Logan Harwood suffered a broken arm at the district tournament. He saw action as a pinch runner, in the field and at the plate Thursday.

"He had to play four innings today," May said.

"He's battling through."

So is Nick LaGrandeur. The second baseman played two innings despite a pulled hamstring.