Glacier 15 to play in Babe Ruth World Series

THE DALLES, Ore. — Glacier 15 is headed for the Babe Ruth World Series.

The all-star team, consisting of players from Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Whitefish, captured the Pacific Northwest Regional baseball title Sunday evening by rallying past Union County from LaGrande, Oregon, 7-5.

Glacier was down 5-2 in the championship game, but took command with a five-run sixth inning to punch its ticket to the World Series in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Aug. 13-20.

Terek Bistodeau doubled with bases loaded to score the final two runs against Union County.

Scoring those runs were Austin Green and Caleb Meehan. Both reached base on singles.

Green pitched the first four innings. He gave up two hits, two walks and no earned runs.

Drew Scherrer finished up on the mound. He allowed three hits and one walk over three inning.

Glacier, 25-7 for the season, went 5-1 at the regional, outscoring the opposition 65-27.

“It’s a good group of kids,” Glacier coach Chad Green said.

“They have played together the last three years. I’ve been very fortunate to coach them for three years.”

This team finished second at state last year and placed third at regionals.

As 13-year-olds, Glacier won state.

“A very successful group of kids,” coach Green said.

Glacier advanced to the regional title game by beating tournament-favorite Longview, Washington, 10-6 in the semifinals earlier Sunday.

Longview came into that contest having won every game by the 10-run rule.

Glacier never trailed in that outing. Logan Kolodejchuk got the offense rolling for Glacier with a RBI single. Austin Green had two hits, two RBI and stole home to score a run.

Max Smyley and Skyler Warner both went 2 for 3.

Saturday was an off-day at the regional for Glacier.

The all-stars suffered their only loss on Friday to the host team, The Dalles, 8-7 in front of packed stadium.

“A fun game even though we came up short on the scoreboard,” coach Green. “It was also a wake-up call, We had won eight in a row up to that point. It reminded us that we could be beat.”

Glacier opened regional play with a 12-2 win over Riverton, Wyoming, last Wednesday and followed by beating Meridian, Idaho, by the same score, on Thursday.

“Our biggest asset is our hitting,” coach Green said.

“We have solid pitching, but we don’t have a guy who can shut a team down. We have nine guys who can come in and throw strikes.”

Glacier prepped for regional play by winning state in Conrad and the Firecracker Tournament in Kalispell. Those were in July.

“The boys are peeking at the right time,” coach Green said.

“I’m proud of them.”

He said assistant coaches Brian Bistodeau and Tom Kemppainen have played a big factor in the team’s success.

Babe Ruth will pay travel expenses for the Glacier players and coaches from Spokane, Washington, to Nashville, Tennessee. The team will then bus to the tournament site.

Players will stay with host families in Tennessee.

Glacier must pay for its travel and other expenses to Spokane. There will also be other expenses at the World Series.

“It’s very expensive to get there,” coach Green said.

Individuals wishing to help with expenses can do so by contacting coach Green at 471-3697, Jodie Green at 471-3698 or visit the team’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/glacier15u for the latest information.

This marks the second straight summer Glacier has advanced an all-star team to World Series play. The 13-year-olds made it last year in Glen Allen, Virginia.