Lakers advance to semis

The Daily Inter Lake

MILES CITY - Zach Brosten hit an RBI-single up the middle to bring in the winning run Monday as the Kalispell Lakers rallies to defeat the Billings Royals 8-7 Monday at the Montana/Alberta Class AA American Legion state baseball tournament.

This marks the first time since 1988 that the Kalispell Lakers have advanced to the semifinals.

"So, obviously a big win for the program," said coach Ryan Malmin.

Toby Liechti had an even bigger hit just before Brosten - with two outs and two strikes against him and the Lakers trailing 7-5, Liechti hit a 2-RBI single to tie the game.

"The goal for the day was Game 4, final 4. We wanted to play on the fourth day of the tournament and be in the final four," Malmin said.

"The kids competed well all day. They didn't give up. We kept chipping away at the lead, we kept our composure and we were patient at the plate," he added.

The game was back and forth all the way.

The Lakers were down 3-1 with two outs in the fifth inning until Joe Pistorese smacked a 2-run homer over the right field fence to tie the game.

Kalispell Lakers 8, Billings Royals 7

Billings 102 000 112 - 7103

Kalispell 100 002 104 - 874

Gerald Schmaing, Casey Stark (6), Evan Bower (9) and Tony LaGaly. Zane Ridings, Joe Pistorese (8) and Zach Brosten.

Billings - Dillon Ness 4-5, Adam Feralio 0-4, Devin Scott 1-1, Blake Loran 1-3, Tony LaGaly 0-5, Matt Edwards 2-5, Casey Stark 2-5, Evan Bower 0-0, Josh Benjamin 0-3, Gerald Schmaing 0-4. HR - Ness 2, Edwards. 2B - Ness 2. RBI - Ness 2, Scott 1, Edwards 2.

Kalispell - Dean Stimpson 0-4, Ben Sansaver 2-5, Mike O'Connell 1-3, Pat Hergesheimer 0-3, Zane Ridings 0-5, Matt O'Brien 0-3, Toby Liechti 1-4, Zach Brosten 1-5, Joe Pistorese 2-3. HR - O'Connell, Pistorese. RBI - O'Connell 1, Ridings 2, Liechti 2, Brosten 1, Pistorese 2.