Regional U14 Babe Ruth Baseball: Glacier, Kalispell fall in semis
COLUMBIA FALLS — The postseason streak for both the Glacier and Kalispell U14 All-Star baseball teams came to an end Saturday afternoon as each team dropped their semifinal contest in the Pacific Northwest Regional Babe Ruth tournament at Sapa-Johnsrud Field.
Glacier dropped its matchup against Spokane Inland Select 6-3.
Spokane led by one run heading into the sixth inning, but got hot down the stretch to kept Glacier at bay.
Glacier catcher Luke Schwaiger had a productive game at the plate as well as behind it. He went 3 for 4 to lead Glacier offensively and put out two base runners attempting to steal.
Quintin Striver helped Glacier’s effort with a perfect 2 for 2 effort at the plate.
“We didn’t give up, that’s for sure,” Glacier head coach Chad Green said.
“The host team (who automatic qualifies for the regional tournament) is usually the whipping boy for everybody else in the tournament. I think we proved that we came to play and we played really well all week. We left it all on the field and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To have Kalispell and us in the tournament was really special. Two of the top four teams in the Pacific Northwest from the Flathead Valley is amazing. ”
The Kalispell All-Stars, facing West Linn (Ore.), were trailing 5-3 when a three-run double put a damper on any comeback attempt.
“We just weren’t quite as sharp as we would have liked to have been,” Kalispell head coach Russell McCarvel said.
“They hit the ball really well. We had some hits, but we didn’t get timely hits. They got timely hits and it proved to be the difference.”
Dawson Smith continued his impressive tournament performance with two hits and an RBI.
Sam Elliott pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing, just two runs.
“I’m really proud of them,” McCarvel said.
“It was just a fun group to be around. They weren’t just a fun group but a very good baseball team to be around. We had a great crowd and it was a lot of fun.”
Spokane Inland Select won the regional championship 9-4 over West Linn and will advance to the U14 World Series in Ocala, Fla. on Aug. 15-22.