Stolen base helps Twins edge Lakers
The Glacier Twins A team has found their groove midway though the American Legion baseball season thanks to sharp fielding, solid hitting and smart base running.
Glacier entered last weekend’s play undefeated in the conference. They were put to the test Friday against a tough Kalispell Lakers A team, but a big seventh inning pushed the Twins to their eighth league win. Zac Darling stole home to score the go-ahead run as Glacier overcame a two-run deficit for the 6-4 win.
“They just kept battling,” Twins coach Bob Rupp said.
Robins pitched 4 2/3 innings in relief of Hugh Ramlow to earn the win. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out nine batters.
Robert Simmons led the way at the plate with a pair of hits, while Jayce Fagerland tallied two RBI.
Saturday, Glacier split a pair of conference games at the Bitterroot Red Sox.
A four-run second inning was all the Twins needed in the opener as they hung on for a 4-2 victory.
Pitcher Brandon Maassen helped his cause on the mound with a pair of RBI at the plate.
The Red Sox routed Glacier in the second game 11-0.
Last week, Glacier won a tournament in Williston, N.D. with a 7-6 win over Miles City in the championship game. The Twins battled in the field in the final frame to get the victory.
With no outs, Robins knocked down a blazing shot up the middle and made the throw to first for an out.
Miles City had a runner on base when Fagerland soared into the air to snag a line drive for the second out. Then with the tying run on base, Fagerland sealed the victory with a barehanded play to Peter Seymour at first for the final out.
“Fagerland played a heck of a tournament,” Rupp said.
The coach also commended consistent pitching.
“Our pitchers had some really good outings in Williston,” he said.
“We’re hitting the ball when we need to and we’ve cut way back on errors.”
Glacier hosts the Ed Gallo Tournament June 27-30 at Memorial Field.
Glacier 001 000 401 - 6 10 2
Kali A 101 010 001 - 4 10 4
Hugh Ramlow, Austin Robins (5) and Zac Darling. Walker Malmin, Justin Rich (7), Sam Crompton (7) and Jeff Bengston. W - Robins. L - Malmin.
GLACIER - Jayce Fagerland 1-4, Shane Marcial 0-5, Jake Slaybaugh 2-4, Peter Seymor 0-5, Colton Gove 1-3, Brandon Maassen 1-1, Kyler Howke 1-5, Robert Simmons 2-4, Darling 1-3, Ramlow 0-1, Robins 1-1.
KALISPELL A - Malmin 1-4, Zach Sands 0-5, Brett Thomas 4-5, Rich 1-4, Levi Brennamen 2-3, Brooks Krause 1-3, Bengston 0-4, Crompton 0-4, Brandon Purdy 1-3, Andy Bemus 0-1.
2B - Simmons; Malmin, Thomas. RBIs - Fagerland, Gove, Maassen, Darling; Thomas 2, Brennamen 2.