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CRANBROOK — The Kalispell Lakers A team had both its pitching and its bats to thank for Friday afternoon’s doubleheader sweep of the Cranbrook Bandits.
The Lakers edged the Bandits 3-2 in Game 1 and took the Game 2 9-2.
Kalispell’s Logan Siblerud outdueled the opposing Dan Mercandelli in the opener. Siblerud walked six batters but was able to hold the Cranbrook offense at bay, allowing just one earned run on one hit over 5 1/3 innings of work.
Mercandelli was a bad-luck loser, as just one of his three runs allowed was earned. He surrendered seven hits, including two each to Kalispell’s Jonathan Craver, Tyler Kitch and Nate Vanderbeek.
The Lakers carried a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but Siblerud allowed his lone run in the sixth and the Bandits stole another run in the seventh before the rally was squashed by reliever Taylor Morton, who was credited with the save.
Kalispell broke out the bats in the nightcap, running away with a win thanks in part to a four-run second inning. The Lakers also scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings before breaking the game open with a three-run sixth inning.
Kitch led the balanced offensive attack with two hits and a pair of RBIs. Craver and Siblerud added three hits apiece.
Siblerud was the only starting Laker to not score a run, while all but Vanderbeek recorded a hit in Game 2.
Cole Crosby allowed 10 hits but only two runs (one earned) in a complete game.
Lakers A returns home Sunday to face the Bitterroot Bucs in a pair of seven-inning games beginning at 1 p.m.
Lakers A 100 002 0 — 3 7 2
Cranbrook 000 001 1 — 2 3 3
KALISPELL — Brandon Jordan 0-4, Jonathan Craver 2-4, Cole Crosby 0-3, Clayton Jaques 0-1, Tyler Kitch 2-4, Nate Vanderbeek 2-3, Evan Todd 0-3, Logan Siblerud 1-3, Adam Joy 0-3
CRANBROOK — Cedar Kemp 0-2, Tatsuki Ishihara 0-3, Carson Meggison 0-3, Parker Thomson 0-2, Robert Nickell 0-4, Rylan D’Etcheverrey 1-2, Jake Bromley 1-3, Greg Rebagliati 0-3, Linden Meggison 1-2
Lakers A 040 113 0 — 9 16 1
Cranbrook 001 000 1 – 2 10 4
KALISPELL — Tyler Kitch 2-5, Adam Joy 1-3, Jonathan Craver 3-4, Logan Siblerud 3-4, Taylor Morton 2-3, Nate Vanderbeek 0-3, Evan Todd 2-4, Grant Marsh 1-4, Brandon Jordan 2-4
CRANBROOK — Cedar Kemp 2-4, Robert Nickell 1-4, Carson Meggison 1-2, Ryley Ducharme 1-1, Linden Meggison 0-4, Tatsuki Ishihara 2-4, Jake Bromley 1-4, Parker Thomson 0-3, Greg Rebagliati 1-2
Sturgis (S.D.) 9, Libby 8
STURGIS, S.D. — A sixth-run first inning by the Sturgis Scoopers was too much for the Libby Loggers to overcome Friday afternoon, as a valiant attempt at a comeback fell short in a 9-8 loss for the visitors.
Libby chipped away at the deficit throughout the game, and its big blow came in a four-run sixth inning. The Loggers briefly tied the game with a run in the top of the seventh, but Sturgis walked off with a run in the bottom of the inning.
Libby starter Moxley Roesler-Begalke was roughed up, allowing five runs, all earned, on four hits and a walk without recording an out.
Josh West’s walkoff single sent the Scoopers home happy in the seventh.
Brady Bateman had a stellar day at the plate for the Loggers, recording hits in each of his five at-bats. He also scored two runs and drove in another two.
Shayne Walker added three hits, two runs and two RBIs for the Libby offense.
The Loggers return to action at home on Wednesday against Olympia, Washington, at 6:05 p.m.
Libby 100 114 1 — 8 12 4
Sturgis 600 020 1 — 9 10 1
LIBBY — Tim Carvey 2-4, Brady Bateman 5-5, Jesse Dunham 0-3, Shayne Walker 3-4, Seth Bateman 0-4, Braydan Thom 0-3, Ty Bateman 1-3, Moxley Roesler-Begalke 0-2, Chris Auge 1-1, Cole Murphy 0-1, Joe Reynolds 0-1
STURGIS — Jarett Keffeler 1-4, Brian Duran 0-3, Caleb Bates 2-4, Nick Anderson 2-4, Josh West 2-3, Manny Gallosa 2-3, Chance Fine 1-3, Devin Odle 0-2, Covey Ulmer 0-1, Carl Nash 0-3