Mariners blow out Libby

LIBBY — The Mission Valley Mariners got off to a hot start and didn’t look back, posting five multi-run innings in a 16-2 victory over the Libby Loggers on Tuesday night.

After Mission Valley scored two runs in the first inning, Libby first baseman Matt Willis hit an RBI single that scored third baseman Dylon Lane, cutting the Mariner’s lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second.

Unfortunately for the Loggers, that’s as close as they would get to a comeback.

The Mariners scored three runs in the following inning, highlighted by third baseman Bradley Pichler’s two-run double, before tallying four runs on just two hits in the top of the fourth.

Mission Valley posted another three-run inning in the fifth and scored four more in the seventh, none of which were earned runs, as the Loggers couldn’t overcome the seven errors they committed in the contest.

Mission Valley ace Derek Peel didn’t make it any easier for Libby.

Peel allowed just two earned runs, shut out the Loggers after the third inning and struck out five in his complete-game victory.  

Mariners catcher Alex Killian tied Pichler with a game-high four RBIs while left fielder Bransen Krebs added three RBIs with a 3 for 5 effort at the plate.

Second baseman Jacob Harrod and center fielder Zeke Webster-Yaqui each had two hits, Harrod driving in a run.

The Loggers were led offensively by Lane and shortstop Will Reichel, who each went 2 for 3.

Catcher Oliver Grupenhoff finished 1 for 3 with an RBI, driving in Libby’s second run in the bottom of the third. His double was the Loggers’ only extra-base hit of night and scored center fielder Luke Haggerty who reached on a single before stealing second base.

Erik Lauer also had a hit for the Loggers.

The teams may meet again this weekend as the Mariners host the Mission Valley Firecracker Tournament in Polson.

Mission Valley     203     430     4     —     16    10    0

Libby Loggers     011     000     0     —     2    8    7

Derek Peel and Alex Killian. Cameron Burkes, Erik Lauer (5) and Braydan Thom (7) and Oliver Grupenhoff. W— Peel. L— Burkes.

MISSION VALLEY — Cole Snyder 0-2, Zeke Webster-Yaqui 2-2, Alex Killian 1-4, T.J. Olson 1-4, Brad Pichler 1-3, Branson Krebs 3-5, Jacob Harrod 2-4, Jared Young 0-3, Aaron Rassmussen 0-1, Trevor Paro 0-4.

LIBBY — Cameron Burkes 0-3, Luke Haggerty 1-4, Will Reichel 2-3, Oliver Grupenhoff 1-3, Dylon Lane 2-3, Matt Willis 1-3, Austin Marshall 0-1, Braydan Thom 0-1, Erik Lauer 1-3, Collin Johnson 0-2, Quincy Grupenhoff 0-1.

2B — Webster-Yaqui 2, Pichler, Olson, O. Grupenhoff. RBIs — Killian 4, Pichler 4, Krebs 3, Harrod 2, Olson, O. Grupenhoff, Willis.