Glacier Babe Ruth just shy of state title

Glacier's 15-year-old Babe Ruth team fell short in its quest for a state title as the All-Stars finished fourth at the state tournament last weekend in Havre.

Northern, a team from the Shelby area that is also known as Golden Triangle, took the state crown with an 8-6 victory over Mission on Sunday. Northern advances to the regional tournament, which begins Aug. 2 in Centralia, Wash.

The Glacier All-Stars posted a 3-3 record during weekend games.

Glacier opened pool play with a flourish, cruising past North Bitterroot 11-1 in five innings last Wednesday behind the five-hit pitching of Isaac Venezio. First baseman Connor Donahue was a defensive standout as he dug several throws out of the dirt, according to Glacier manager Chuck Houston.

Dan Jones was on base four times with a double and walk and was hit with pitches twice.

Northern slipped by Glacier 9-7 Thursday, scoring four runs in the fourth inning. Behind by four in the bottom of the seventh, Glacier scored twice but could get no closer.

"We had a few errors in that game," Houston said, seeing Glacier lose to a Northern team it had beaten twice earlier in the All-Star season.

Donahue, Jones and Corey Davis pitched for Glacier and gave up seven hits. Glacier collected 10 hits. Jones and Donahue each had a double.

"It was one of those games that we just couldn't finish," Houston said.

Tyler Brown and Bryce Wehrli combined on a 4-hitter as Glacier blanked Glendive 11-0 Friday morning. Brown pitched the first four innings and Wehrli closed it out in the fifth. Garrett Houston was 3-for-4 for Glacier and also made a couple of big plays at second base. Nathan Carr had a good game behind the plate, according to manager Houston.

Glacier drew Mission in the first round of bracket play and Mission advanced with a 12-7 win — thanks to a six-run third inning. Glacier had two runners on base in the top of the seventh, but could not score.

"We weren't hitting with guys in scoring position," Houston said.

Houston pitched the first two innings, followed by Bigfork's Cody Dopps, Jones and Davis.

Shortstop Michael Herbig "kept the team fired up," manager Houston said and played well defensively.

In a consolation game, Herbig and Davis pitched Glacier to a 5-3 win over Kalispell AA Saturday. The gave up a combined six hits.

"Both of them threw really well," Houston said. "They kept them (Kalispell) shut down."

Maxl Smith had a good game at the plate, as did Jones and Herbig, according to manager Houston. Glacier had nine hits.

In the game for third and fourth, Mission beat Glacier, 6-3. Glacier led 2-1, but Mission scored five unanswered runs. Glacier left eight runners on base.

"We couldn't keep the momentum going," Houston said.

The manager said Mission's outfield 'saved the game" with three diving catches.

Donahue drove in two Glacier runs and Houston was 1-for-2.

Herbig started on the mound, and Jones and Davis pitched in relief. They gave up a combined nine hits.

The Glacier lineup was weakened with the absence of several players, including Taylor Martinson, who was ill with the flu, and Jim Dunnigan was out with a broken nose from the district tournament.

"We were playing with a mixed crew but the boys played outstanding," Houston said. "We finished the season in true form and we're really proud of them.

"I couldn't ask for a better team to coach. They played hard to the very end," he said.