Loggers are Western A district champions
LIBBY - The Libby Loggers are Western A American Legion baseball district champions.
Justin Wicka hit a fourth inning grand slam and the Loggers never looked back as they downed Missoula 10-4 in the championship game on Sunday at Gehring Field.
Missoula defeated Mission Valley 4-3 in the game for third place. However, as the State A host team, the Mariners will take Missoula's spot at the state tournament.
The Loggers will open the state tournament at 9 a.m. Thursday against the Fort Mcleod Royals.
"It was impressive to see Missoula push through the losers bracket and make the championship game," said Libby coach Kelly Morford.
"That isn't easy to do as it makes for a long weekend. To do it as a young group like they are, they should be proud of what they did this weekend. They are a well-coached team and handle themselves really well on the ball field."
"I was proud of the way our kids came out and competed all tournament long," Morford said.
"The community support we received from all of the Logger fans was incredible. We had some great crowds and it was fun to win a district title in front of them and on our own field. I am happy these young men get a chance to compete for a state title. They are a great group of kids and have worked hard all season long."
As for Wicka's homer, it came in the second inning with Libby holding a 1-0 lead.
"That was kind of a game-changer there. That gave us a comfortable lead and took the wind out of Missoula's sails," he said.
The Loggers hit the ball well as a team with 13 hits. Wicka was 3 for 5, Jared Winslow and Chris Herbig were each 2 for 4 and Micah Germany and Justyn Mack were both 2 for 3.
As for the third place game, Missoula's Matt Mchugh led off the ninth inning with a double, then scored on Josh Ratts' sacrifice fly. Missoula's William Keffler sat the Mariners down in order in the bottom half of the inning for a 4-3 Missoula win.
Austin VonTom and Jack Humphreys each batted 2 for 4 to lead Mission Valley. VonTom also had a double and Humphreys an RBI.
Championship
Libby 10, Missoula 4
Missoula 000 200 200 - 4 51
Libby 145 000 000 - 10133
Curtis Trott, Ryan Anderson (3), Kiel Stephens (8) and Slade Heggen, Kip Vetos. Alex Cislo, Justyn Mack (5) and Micah Germany. W - Cislo. L - Trott.
Missoula - Tanner Maier 1-5, Nick Evans 1-4, Shane Olson 2-2, Stephens 0-3, Anthony Contonio 0-1, Taylor Beirly 0-3, Matt Mchugh 0-1, Jacob Jewett 0-2, Josh Ratts 0-0, Anthony Hilliard 0-2, Jesson Preston 0-1, Tony Madson 0-2, Josh Meader 0-3, William Keffler 0-0, Anderson 0-1, Heggen 0-1, Vetos 1-2.
RBI - Evans 1, Beirly 1, Preston 1, Heggen 1.
Libby - Justin Wicka 3-5, Jared Winslow 2-4, Chris Herbig 2-4, Cislo 0-5, Germany 2-3, Alex Bluhm 1-5, Mack 2-3, Andrew Haggerty 1-3, Will Reichel 0-1.
HR - Wicka. RBI - Wicka 4, Winslow 1, Herbig 2, Mack 1, Reichel 1.
3rd place
Missoula 210 000 001 - 4 6 2
Mariners 010 020 000 - 3 83
Josh Ratts, Taylor Beirly (6), William Keffler (9) and Slade Heggen. Kellon Hoyt, Josh Rustad (9) and Jack Humphreys.
Missoula - Maier 1-5, Evans 1-4, Olson 0-3, Contonio 0-3, Mchugh 1-4, Ratts 1-1, Preston 1-3, Curtis Trott 0-2, Beirly 0-1, William Keffler 0-0, Heggen 1-3.
2B - Maier. RBI - Olson 1, Contonio 1, Ratts 1.
Mission Valley - Chris Clary 0-5, Justin Evertz 0-5, Austin VonTom 2-4, Robbie Gauthier 1-4, Derek Rathe 1-3, Kevin Hagadorn 1-3, Jacob Young 0-4, Dalton Molhzon 1-3, Jack Humphreys 2-4.
2B - VonTom. RBI - Rathe 2, Humphreys 1.