Glacier All-Stars win state Babe Ruth tourney

The Glacier All-Stars won the state Babe Ruth 13U tournament on Saturday, defeating the Bitterroot All-Stars 5-4 in eight innings in the final game at Sapa-Johnsrud Field in Columbia Falls.

Glacier led 4-2 in the early going, but Bitterroot had it tied up 4-4 by the fifth. Then Glacier's Jed Nagler was credited with some heads-up base running in the wild, extra-inning game.

Nagler had singled and then stole second in the top of the eighth. He then scored when the Bitterroot catcher incorrectly thought Glacier's AJ Wetsch had struck out, ending the top of the frame. The catcher rolled the ball back to the pitcher, and the entire Bitterroot team came out to celebrate, giving Nagler a chance to steal home.

"The whole team was walking off the field," Glacier coach Brent Wetsch said. "Jed came around third and scored. It was amazing."

A controversy ensued for about 20 minutes until the official bookkeeper confirmed the count was 2-1 on AJ Wetsch and upheld the score.

Coach Wetsch also credited his pitching squad for the win.

"Awesome pitching by Colten Parker the first three innings," coach Wetsch said. "Jonny Sapa pitched the last five. He shut them down."

The win sends Glacier to the Northwest Regional Babe Ruth Tournament in Kennewick, Wash., on July 31-Aug. 5.

"I'm pretty proud of these boys," coach Wetsch said. "They stuck together. When we asked guys to step up and come off the bench and do what they needed to do, they did it. That's teamwork. That's what it takes to win a ball game."

The Glacier All-Stars opened the tournament on Wednesday, July 20, by defeating the Kalispell All-Stars 10-0. Jesse Walburn led the Glacier offense, going 3 for 4. Parker went the first three innings on the mound, and Sapa pitched the final two innings.

Glacier scored four runs in the first inning. Nagler singled-in one run, while the other three runs were scored off walks. Glacier scored two runs in the second inning, both on passed balls.

"Glacier did a good job with the bats, fielding and worked as a team," coach Wetsch said of the opening game. "Kalispell - they battled. They always do."

On Thursday, Glacier defeated the Helena All-Stars 16-6 in five innings. Glacier had beaten Helena three times earlier this season.

Walburn pitched the first two innings, and Nagler finished up. Glacier led by 5-4 after one inning and by 9-5 after the end of the second. Parker doubled in the fourth inning to drive in a couple more runs.

"Again, good team work," coach Wetsch said. "The kids hit the ball well and played hard."

On Friday, Glacier crushed Bitterroot, the team they would meet again in the final, 19-9. Parker and Nagler hit doubles in the game. Glacier trailed 4-2 after the first inning but scored eight in the second inning.

Parker pitched the first three innings, followed by Sapa for two innings and AJ Wetsch on the mound for the final inning.