Legion: Experienced Loggers built better for 2025

There were way too many walks and errors and they added up in a 13-11 loss in their American Legion baseball opener. 

But in this version of the Libby Loggers, coach Kelly Morford found a lot to like. 

“It was interesting,” Morford said Thursday, one day after his team fell to the Kalispell A Lakers in a back-and-forth game at Griffin Field. ”Even with all the control issues, I was actually surprised by the upside that’s there, with the arms we do have. With some innings and some experience, I like our potential.” 

The bad news: 11 walks were issued along with eight batters hit by pitch. The good: Starter Aidan Rose and relievers Boe Miles, Kale Hall, Bransen Holzer, Noah Gilespie and James Woody combined to allow zero earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. 

The fielding — Libby committed six errors — is another story, but this is a program that went 7-34 while playing a lot of youngsters last season. 

To that more experienced cast the Loggers added Holzer, a Kalispell A Laker a year ago who played third base, shortstop and first base on Wednesday. 

“He’s a sparkplug for us and exactly what we need,” Morford said of the 17-year-old, who is from Libby. “He keeps those kids going and can play just about anywhere.” 

Rose is the lone senior and No. 1 pitcher, and has committed to Arizona Christian.  

“You know what you’re going to get when Aidan is pitching,” Morford said. “It’s a plus when he’s on the hill. He made some really nice plays at short yesterday as well.” 

Morford is also encouraged by the development of Kale Riddle after he was thrown into the fire as second base early in his Legion career, and in Tanner Wolfe he has a “towering presence” at first base. 

Miles has adapted nicely from playing infield to center field last season; Morford noted his speed is well-suited for the top of the lineup. 

Staying up the middle, Brody Gilmore was pressed into action at catcher last season and has improved; another catcher is Mason Crowe, who is currently playing the high school season with Troy. 

He’ll provide leadership upon his return, and Morford also hopes to get another Troy product, pitcher Cody Todd, back from a foot injury suffered in basketball towards the end of the regular season. 

A knee injury shelved Hall last season; he can play all three outfield spots as well as pitch.

Add in B team additions Elijah Foulke, a potent hitter, and Woody at pitcher and Libby seems very capable. 

“Our starting point this season compared to last, we’re in a completely different spot,” said Morford, whose club plays two home games against Fort Macleod on Saturday. “We’ve got some things to fix, but luckily it’s stuff that can be easily taken care of.”