Lakers off and running into Canadian Days Tournament

Just 11 games into the American Legion baseball season and the Kalispell Lakers AA are on pace to demolish last year’s stolen bases mark.

Kalispell has 23 stolen bases thus far in 26 attempts.

“That’s almost a third of what we did the entire year last year,” Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said.

“We’ve got some pretty good speed this year. We’ll be more aggressive on the bases.”

The Lakers will get a chance showcase their base stealing skills this weekend with its annual Canadian Days Tournament. Action starts at 2 p.m. today at Griffin Field.

Play continues Saturday, starting at 9 a.m., followed by championship Sunday.

“We’re still testing different people out in different places,” Malmin said.

“Get more guys innings on the mound and stretch our staff a little bit,” he said of the approach for this weekend.

Joining the Lakers in the AA tournament are the Calgary Reds, Okotoks Outlaws and Sherwood Park Dukes.

Okotoks is new to the lineup this year.

In the A tournament at Archie Roe Field with the Lakers A it’s the Calgary Redbirds, Cranbrook Bandits, Edmonton Cardinals, Ferris Saxons and Sherwood Park.

Ferris is making its first appearance in this tournament.

The Lakers AA are 6-5 to date.

“I think we’ve shown bits and pieces of what we can be,” Malmin said so far.

“We’re going to have to develop some consistency. That comes from having a one-pitch mentality.”

Andrew Schleusner leads the Lakers in hitting with his .450 average. He also leads the team in doubles with six.

Schleusner hits in the third or fourth position.

Leadoff hitter Tiler Whiteaker is batting .343.

Patrick O’Connell, who hits either fourth, fifth or sixth in the batting order, is at .315.

The Lakers have hit just two home runs — one each by O’Connell and Jayson Combs.

Malmin says the pitching must improve for the team to be successful.

“Our guys on the mound need to do a better job with their one-pitch approach and work down in the zone to be effective,” he said.

“We seem to be hit and miss with that early on.”

Defensively, the Lakers have been solid.

“We’ve been fairly consistent,” Malmin said.

“Our outfield has pretty good speed. They track balls well. They will be a huge asset to our defense.”

Whiteaker, Combs, Brandon Maassen and Keatin Mohl have shared the outfield duties.

Following the tournament, Kalispell AA hosts the Libby Loggers A on May 20 and then heads to Missoula for the Memorial Day Tournament starting May 23.

Canadian Days Tournament

AA Team — Calgary Redbirds, Kalispell Lakers, Okotoks Outlaws, Sherwood Park Dukes

A Team — Calgary Redbirds, Cranbrook Bandits, Edmonton Cardinals, Ferris Saxons, Kalispell Lakers, Sherwood Park A’s

AA Schedule

Friday

Griffin Field

4:30 p.m. — Calgary vs. Sherwood Park

7:30 p.m. — Kalispell vs. Okotoks

Saturday

11:30 a.m. — Okotoks vs. Sherwood Park

2 p.m. — Calgary vs. Okotoks

4:30 p.m. — Calgary vs. Kalispell

7 p.m. — Kalispell vs. Sherwood Park

Sunday

10:30 a.m. — 3AA vs. 4AA

3:30 p.m. — 1AA vs. 2AA

A Schedule

Friday

Archie Roe Field

1 p.m. — Sherwood Park vs. Calgary

3:30 p.m. — Calgary vs. Kalispell

6 p.m. — Ferris vs. Cranbrook

Griffin Field

2 p.m. — Edmonton vs. Cranbrook

Saturday

Griffin Field

9 a.m. — Sherwood Park vs. Kalispell

Archie Roe Field

9 a.m. — Edmonton vs. Ferris

11:30 a.m. — Cranbrook vs. Calgary

2 p.m. — Kalispell vs. Edmonton

4:30 p.m. — Ferris vs. Sherwood Park

Sunday

Archie Roe Field

10:30 a.m. — 5A vs. 6A

1 p.m. — 3A vs. 4A

Griffin Field

1 p.m. — 1A vs. 2A