Two 10-run first-innings lift Twins
Annual Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament runs through Saturday, nine teams in town
By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot
The Glacier Twins kicked off the 24th annual Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Legion Baseball Tournament by getting two wins at their home field.
Playing a doubleheader against the Black Hills Lobos on Tuesday, the Twins scored 10 runs in the first inning of both games to cruise to victory by scores of 12-3 and 16-10.
"It was weird," head coach Ryan Hadfield said. "We just got off to a great start in both games."
The nightcap game was a more exciting game to watch, as the Lobos rallied in the third inning to score seven runs and make things interesting for the Twins.
They tied the game at 10-all in the fifth inning, but Glacier's Scott "Yogi" Yogodzinski blasted an RBI triple.
Yogodzinski also had a three-run homer in the first inning. He went 3-for-4 with four RBIs on the night.
Scott Palmer had a two-RBI triple in the first inning as well.
The game was called in the middle of the sixth inning due to the tournament's time limit.
Kyle Knox pitched the first three innings for Glacier before Brad Nielsen relieved him. Palmer pitched the sixth inning to get the win.
The Twins, despite committing six errors on the night, were able to hold the Lobos to 10 runs on their 10 hits. The Twins were able to get 16 runs off 11 hits.
Zane Ridings and Adam Pisk had two hits apiece for Glacier. Dustin VonFeldt had one hit.
Yogodzinski also homered in the early game against the Lobos. The Twins raced out to a 10-0 lead after getting all 10 runs in the first inning.
The tournament, which runs through July 12, began in 1985. The year before, local boys Ray Johnsrud and Jimmy Sapa were killed in a car-train accident at a railroad crossing in Columbia Falls. Both boys were members of the Twins and played sports at Columbia Falls High School.
A tourney skills contest will be held on Friday evening at approximately 8 p.m., with such highlights as a Hot Hands Contest and a Home Run Derby. A barbecue to raise funds will be held at 6 p.m.
The tournament drew nine teams from Canada and the Northwest.
The Twins play again on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m., before tournament play begins on Saturday at 10 a.m.