Twins win two against Calgary
The Glacier Twins picked up consecutive Legion AA baseball wins against the Calgary Redbirds at home June 29-30 after scoring 25 runs in the series. The sweep snapped a four-game losing streak for the Twins as they look to make a late-season push for the playoffs.
The Twins put on an offensive show in their first game back at Memorial Park since June 10. Led by Jeremy Nielsen's three RBIs, the Twins tallied 11 hits in a 19-6 victory on Wednesday evening. Nielsen finished 3-for-5 at the plate.
Geoff Streeter picked up the win on the mound after holding Calgary scoreless through four innings. Devyn Rocker and Zach Maassen each had two hits, while Chris King knocked in three runs.
Thursday's game went down to the final frame after the Twins rallied back from a 2-5 deficit. Tied at 5-5 in the seventh, Nielsen connected on a line-drive RBI single with the bases loaded to score the go-ahead and winning run. Pitcher Carl Talsma took the mound in the final frame to get the win. Jack Corin, Cody Elek, King and Nielsen each had one hit.
The Twins enter a critical stretch of conference games in the next two weeks, starting today (Wednesday) when they host Kalispell during the Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament at Memorial Park.
Twins coach Lindsay Fansler says the team is in good shape to make a run at earning one of four playoff spots. Medicine Hat and Great Falls sit at the top of the league, leaving a battle for the third and fourth spots between Lethbridge, Missoula, Kalispell and the Twins. The Twins have wins this season over both Missoula and Kalispell.
"It could come down to the last game," Fansler said.
He noted that eight of the Twins' nine remaining conference games are at home.
"We have to try and win it out," he said.
The Twins have proven their offensive prowess all season, but their pitching has been suspect. Fansler said he's found a solid combo recently between Maassen and Hill.
"They've stepped up consistently and put us in position to let our offense win some games."
The Twins held a players-only meeting prior to a set of big wins against Missoula last week. They talked about the depth and talent this roster has and how they can't waste the opportunity to get the Twins back to the playoffs.
Fansler said the squad has shown a lot of improvement and spirit since the meeting.
"They worked out some issues," he said. "Even though we had some tough losses on the road, we've played some really good baseball."