Loggers split with Bitterroot

FLORENCE — Eric Riddle threw a 1-hitter as Libby tripped the Bitterroot Bucs 2-1 on Friday in the nightcap of an American Legion baseball doubleheader.

Riddle lost his bid for a no-hitter when he gave up a two-out bloop single to right field to Austin Erler in the fifth inning.

Riddle went the distance, striking out six and walking four.

Bitterroot won the opener 4-1.

“He did a really good job,” Libby coach Kelly Morford said of Riddle.

“He kept the ball away from them on the outside of the plate. He consistently worked ahead in the count.”

Riddle also had a big day at the plate, accounting for three of the team’s nine hits. He also drove in a run.

“He was probably the player of the day for us,” Morford said.

Libby (14-14 overall) plays a doubleheader today in Hamilton versus the Bitterroot Red Sox. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Game 1

Libby    010    000    0—    140

Bitterroot Bucs    012    001    x—    430

Justin Wicka, Adam Stapley (6) and Micah Germany; Riley Phillips and Billy Hanna. W — Phillips. L — Wicka.

LIBBY — Dustin Morningstar 0-3, Chris Herbig 0-3, Germany 0-3, Joe Coker 0-3, Wicka 1-3, Stapley 0-2, Eric Grotjohn 0-2, Zach Watson 0-2, Tate Wilson 0-1, Eric Riddle 2-3.

BITTERROOT — RT Llewelyn 1-3, Austin Erler 1-3, Jeremy Johnson 0-1, Hanna 0-2, Zack Blackstun 1-3, Austin Nogle 0-2, Dan Lockman 0-2, Phillips 0-2, Coe Golden 0-2.

2B—Erler; 3B—Llewelyn; RBIs—Riddle; Erler.

Game 2

Libby    010    010    0—    251

Bitterroot Bucs    000    001    0—111

Riddle and Germany; Erler, Justin Medlin (5) and Hanna. W — Riddle. L — Erler.

LIBBY — Morningstar 0-4, Clay Smith 1-3, Herbig 1-3, Germany 0-3, Coker 0-2, Grotjohn 1-2, Wilson 0-2, Byron Benefield 1-3, Riddle 1-3.

Bitterroot — Llewelyn 0-3, Erler 1-3, Johnson 0-1, Hanna 0-3, Blackstun 0-2, Nogle 0-2, Lockman 0-3, Phillips 0-2, Golden 0-1, Medlin 0-1.

3B—Smith; RBIs—Herbig.