Local teams reach semifinals
Both the Glacier and Kalispell All-Stars reached the semifinals of the Pacific Northwest Regional Babe Ruth Tournament after narrowly escaping their opponents on Friday night.
Both teams earned the second seed of their respective divisions, finishing with identical 3-1 records.
Glacier, playing Moses Lake (Wash.), led 7-1 after the first inning but allowed their opponent back in the game.
Moses Lake took the lead after a huge sixth inning rally.
Glacier captured the momentum right back.
With two outs and two men on in the bottom of the six, Glacier’s David Brown ripped a two-RBI base hit to reclaim the lead.
Max Smyley came on to pitch a scoreless seventh inning to preserve the victory.
Defensively, Brandon Thomas continued to shine for Glacier. His second diving catch of the tournament gave his team energy.
“I’m very proud of the heart and the fight we showed when the chips were stacked against us,” Glacier head coach Chad Green said.
“I was really proud of the comeback. We hit really well in the first couple innings and then we got the hits when we needed them.”
The Kalispell All-Stars will also be appearing in the semifinals after a dramatic come from behind victory over Klamath Falls (Ore.) for a 15-12 win.
Kalispell was down 6-1 after two innings and battled back to tie the game at six in the third. Klamath Falls would rally later in the contest, taking another lead.
Kalispell would came back from a 10-6 deficit, and after five innings, they lead 12-10.
Dawson Smith got the win on the mound, and Sam Elliott came in to pitch the final inning, earning the save.
Kalispell gave their pitchers plenty of run support throughout the night.
Jackson Pepe had two hits and a double for a game-high three RBIs.
Conor McCarvel was 2 for 3 with a double while Eric Seaman scored three runs. Johan Freundberg had two hits for two RBIs, Jaryon Benturini had two hits and Keaden Morasaki added two hits.
“The big thing was we showed a lot of resilience,” Kalispell head coach Russell McCarvel said.
“I was really proud of our kids for coming back, and overcoming two deficits.”
McCarvel also marveled at the support for the local teams at the regional tournament.
“The support for us has been amazing,” McCarvel said.
“Our players’ friends from school and around town and parents of those friends have come out to support both Glacier and Kalsipell. It’s really amazing to see all these folks at our games.”
Spokane Inland Select and West Linn (Ore.) took the top seeds out of the National and American Divisions.
Glacier will play the first semifinal game today at noon. They’ll face Spokane Inland Select at Sapa-Johnsrud Field in Columbia Falls.
Kalispell will play in the second semifinal contest on the same field at 3 p.m. aginast West Linn.
The winners will play in the championship game at 7 p.m. with a chance to play in the U14 World Series in Ocala, Fla. on Aug 15-22.
Pacific Northwest Regional
U14 Babe Ruth Tournament
American Division
Glacier; Twins Cities, Wash.; Moses Lake, Wash; Calgary, Alberta; West Linn, Ore.
National Division
Kalispell; Wood River, Idaho; Klamath Falls, Ore.; Spokane Inland Select, Wash.; Riverton, Wyo.
Schedule
Wednesday
Pool Play
At Whitefish
9 a.m. — Klamath Falls 15, Riverton 2
Noon — Kalispell 3, Wood River 1
3 p.m. — Spokane Inland Select 8, Klamath Falls 6
6 p.m. — West Linn 11, Glacier 4
At Columbia Falls
9 a.m. — West Linn 9, Moses Lake 1
Noon — Glacier 5, Twin Cities 4
3 p.m. — Moses Lake 10, Calgary 9
6 p.m. — Kalispell 11, Riverton 0
Thursday
At Whitefish
Noon — West Linn 8, Calgary 1
4 p.m. — Twin Cities 11, Moses Lake 4
7 p.m. — Spokane Inland Select 12, Kalispell 0
At Columbia Falls
Noon — Riverton 2, Spokane Inland Select 1
4 p.m. — Klamath Falls 12, Wood River 0
7 p.m. — Glacier 13, Calgary 0
Friday
At Whitefish
2 p.m. — Twin Cities 13, Calgary 8
5 p.m. — Glacier 11, Moses Lake 10
8 p.m. — Wood River vs. Riverton
At Columbia Falls
2 p.m. — Spokane Inland Select 9, Wood River 5
5 p.m. — Kalispell 15, Klamath Falls 12
8 p.m. — Twin Cities vs. West Linn
Saturday
Championship Play
Noon — National Division No. 1 vs. American Division No. 2
3 p.m. — American Division No. 1 vs. National Division No. 2
7 p.m. — Championship game