Big 7th carries A Lakers over Libby

LIBBY — Braden Capser’s RBI double in the top of the seventh jump-started a 5-run outburst for the Kalispell A Lakers Wednesday, in their 8-3 win over the Libby Loggers 18U in Legion baseball.

It was Capser’s second double of the game and broke a 3-3 tie; he scored two runs as the Lakers improved to 21-2 overall and 3-0 in conference games.

Kalispell outhit Libby 9-2, with two hits coming in the seventh: Brysen Walcheck had an RBI single that made it 6-3; the Lakers scored their final two runs on a squeeze bunt by Cale Brink and a passed ball.

The rally made a winner of starting pitcher Jackson Heino, who went six innings and allowed two hits, five walks and two earned runs. He struck out six. Luke Nikunen fanned two in the seventh to seal the win.

Dylan Buckner had two hits, a run scored and an RBI from his leadoff spot for the Loggers (1-13, 0-3 in league games). Aiden Rose started on the hill and was solid for five innings, scattering seven hits and a walk. He struck out six.

The teams battle again Thursday, in Kalispell at 5 p.m.

Lakers A 200 010 5 - 8 9 2

Loggers 110 100 0 - 3 2 5

Jackson Heino, Luke Nikunen (7) and Bryce Quinnell. Aiden Rose, Caleb Moeller (6), Noah Gillespie (7) and Rusty Gillespie.

KALISPELL A LAKERS — Trever Cockerill 1-4, Hunter Fann 1-5, Nikunen 0-3, Braden Capser 2-3, Brysen Herion 0-3, Bryce Buckmaster 1-1, Hunter Glidden 2-2, Bryce Quinnell 1-2, Easton Capser 0-1, Brecken Walcheck 1-3, Cale Brink 0-2.

LIBBY LOGGERS — Dylan Buckner 2-4, Rose 0-4, Cy Williams 0-2, Chase Rayome 0-3, R.Gillespie 0-2, Moeller 0-3, Issac Lamere 0-3, N.Gillespie 0-0, Ian Thom 0-1, James Redifer 0-0, Brody Gilmore 0-1, K Hall 0-0, Amir Clutter 0-1.

2B — B.Capser 2, Fann. 3B — Buckmaster. RBIs — Nikunen, B.Capser, Buckmaster, Walcheck, Brink, Buckner, Rayome.