Terry column: A second chance at a state title

Second chances are hard to come by.

For the Kalispell Lakers A squad, a second chance has been offered to win a state championship.

Kalispell will host the Montana/Alberta American Legion Class A state baseball tournament beginning today at Griffin Field. It’s hosting that gave the Lakers a new life after a poor showing at the West A district tournament last week in Polson.

The Lakers finished the regular season 7-13 in the conference and 20-22-1 overall and lost both of their games in Polson last weekend, 7-0 to eventual champion Bitterroot Red Sox and 11-1 to Mission Valley.

Still, a chance to come home and play more loomed, giving the Lakers hope in a stacked state tournament.

“We didn’t have a great showing last weekend at the district tournament,” Lakers A manager Jesse McFarland said.

“Up to that point, as the season’s gone on, we’ve gotten much better along the way. I feel really good about what our team can accomplish this weekend.”

The Lakers have an opportunity playing at home in a tournament that saw many of the top seeds in districts fall.

“If we hit, pitch and play defense like we can, like we’re capable of, I think we’ll be really tough to beat this weekend,” McFarland said.

Kalispell has been hard to handle at Griffin and Archie Roe fields. The Lakers won the Canadian Days tournament and finished strong at the John R. Harp Memorial tournament, where it saw first round opponent Vauxhall.

“We’ve had a lot of success at home,” McFarland said.

“I’m hoping to get a good crowd out tonight. The kids are excited about playing in front of their families.

“We certainly like playing there. It’s comfortable for us. We’re hoping we can put a few (wins) together again this weekend.”

Winning this weekend won’t be simple, however. Vauxhall is one of a few powerful teams that impressed at the district tournaments.

The Spurs averaged 13 runs per game on their run to the North championship. Bitterroot, Lethbridge and Deer Lodge also averaged double-digit runs. Alternately, East champion Glasgow shut out half the teams it faced and will be among the favorites to claim Montana’s spot in the regional tournament.

“At this point in the season, every team is pretty good,” McFarland said.

“We’re going to have to play a good game to beat (Vauxhall). We certainly think we’re capable if we do the things we’re supposed to do.”

While the deck may be stacked against them, the Lakers don’t plan on going down without a fight.

“It’s another shot to make sure this thing goes out the right way,” McFarland said.