League play heats up for Lakers
The Kalispell Lakers are heading into the heart of conference play with a stretch that will certainly start pouring the cement on the American Legion AA Western standings.
With 17 conference games left in the season, the Lakers (19-9 overall, 5-2 in conference) have nine in the next two weeks, starting today with a doubleheader on the road against the Great Falls Electrics (1-8 in conference).
"This very easily could dictate where our season goes from here," Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said.
Of the next nine conference games, six are on the road for Kalispell, currently the third place team just ahead of Medicine Hat (5-3). The Missoula Mavericks (10-0) hold a comfortable lead at the top, with Lethbridge (7-3) the runner-up. Glacier (0-9) sits in last.
The top four teams from the West advance to the AA state tournament in Miles City, which begins July 25.
The Lakers are fresh off a road trip tournament in Pullman, Wash., where they competed in the Palouse Summer Series and finished 2-2 with a narrow one-run loss to Coeur d'Alene in the consolation game.
Heading into these next two weeks, Malmin said the Lakers will need to keep improving with a focus on finishing games.
"Hopefully, we can continue to be consistent pitching and consistent defensively," he said.
"I think offensively it's important for us to be patient at the plate … As important, I guess, is we need to finish."
The Lakers had a six game win streak snapped at the Palouse tourney and gave away a few noticeable leads, including a 3-1 advantage that evaporated in the sixth inning of the consolation match.
The Lakers will look to continue their success in Great Falls. A week ago, Kalispell swept the Stallions (4-7), 4-1 and 8-4.
Up to this point, Kalispell's three and four hitters have been the beating heart in the batting order. Mike O'Connell is hitting .415 with 28 RBIs and three home runs, while Pat Hergesheimer follows with a .412 average and 23 RBIs and three home runs as well. Hergesheimer's on-base-percentage is a team-best .524.
The big three pitching staff has been top notch as well. Joe Pistorese, Mario Venturini and Ben Sansaver have combined for 15 wins, and make up one of the top rotations in the state. Pistorese, a 16-year-old southpaw rookie, leads the team with a 0.39 ERA through 53.67 innings. Sansaver follows with a 2.43 through 31 3/4 innings and Venturini comes in with a 3.04 through 50 3/4.