Twins outscored 46-6 by Mavs

Missoula completes two-day Western AA sweep

Another day and another blowout loss to Missoula for the Glacier Twins.

The Mavericks beat Glacier 24-6 Saturday in a Western AA American Legion baseball game at Memorial Field. The Twins made six errors in a 22-0 loss to Missoula on Friday and their defense only got worse Saturday as they committed 11 errors.

There were signs of improvement for Glacier. The Twins had seven hits Saturday compared to just one Friday. They even took a 4-3 lead in the third inning and were tied going into the fourth, but the game didn't stay close for long.

Missoula scored two runs in the fourth inning and eight more in the fifth inning before adding five runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. The game was called after seven innings due to American Legion's 10-run mercy rule.

Missoula's Brian Fowler pitched five strong innings for the win and the Mavericks improved to 9-3 in conference play. Mac Kirk left his post at third base to pitch the final two innings.

Weston Chambers started on the mound for Glacier and was efficient for his four innings of work, but the Twins made six errors behind him and he took the loss.

The cause of Glacier's recent troubles was clear to Twins coach Jarod Grubb.

"Our bats aren't the problem," Grubb said. "I'm not going to get on the hitters at all. That's not the problem. The missing link is defense and pitching - it's obvious."

For the second day in a row, Glacier's defense made life difficult for its pitchers, turning throws and grounders into wild adventures that extended innings.

"You can definitely explain it," Grubb said. "It's just confidence, and the only way to build confidence is through reps and experience and the answer's obvious - they need more reps and correct reps and that's something we haven't done all year."

Missoula amassed 17 hits, led by center fielder Dan Belet (3-for-3), right fielder Brad Rutherford (3-for-4), shortstop Travis Johnson (2-for-4), first baseman Conor Dwyer (2-for-2), second baseman Mac Cuffe (2-for-5) and Kirk (2-for-3).

Dwyer and Rutherford each had 3 RBIs while Belet and Kirk each drove in two runs.

Catcher Ryan Caron had Glacier's only multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 and scoring a run.

Four of Glacier's hits game in the seventh inning, including a two-run single by B.J. Hattel that plated Caron and left fielder Scott Yogodzinski.

Losing two games by a combined score of 46-6 could be damaging to a team's psyche.

"It definitely hurts our confidence, but we just have to rebound from it and I think definitely playing in the (Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament next week) is an easy way to do that and I'm already looking forward to it," Yogodzinski said. "We want to get back and show that we can win and get back on the winning side."

But Glacier's coach knows simply showing up in next week's tournament won't assure improved performance by his players.

"I don't expect these two games to ruin our lives - baseball's just a part of life, not life," Grubb said. "But at the same time, you gotta work on what you're doing out here, otherwise it's gonna be the same score next time."

Grubb said his players will have two days off before tournament action begins. Missoula plays the Kalispell Lakers today at 11:30 a.m. at Griffin Field.

Missoula 031 285 5 - 24 17 3

Glacier 040 000 2 - 6 7 11

Brian Fowler, Mac Kirk (6) and Chris Bartenhagen. Weston Chambers, Josh Peterson (5), Jon Cloyed (6), Marty Richter (7) and Ryan Caron. W - Fowler. L - Chambers.

Missoula (9-3) - Travis Johnson 2-4, Cody Burgmeier 0-2, Ryan Sharkey 1-2, Conor Dwyer 2-2, Kallen Kropp 0-1, Brad Rutherford 3-4, Bartenhagen 1-4, Dan Redman 0-0, Dan Belet 3-3, Stephen Kasun 0-2, Mac Cuffe 2-5, Kirk 2-3, Fowler 1-4, Eric Maunder 0-2.

Glacier (n/a) - Byron Whitcomb 1-4, B.J. Hattel 1-4, Jarred Krueger 1-4, Rusty Hill 1-4, Roo Grubb 0-2, Peterson 0-2, Cloyed 0-1, Riley VanNyhuis 0-3, Caron 2-3, Scott Yogodzinski 1-3.

RBIs - Miss. 16 (Dwyer 3, Rutherford 3, Belet 2, Kirk 2, Johnson, Sharkey, Kropp, Redman, Cuffe, Bartenhagen), Gla. 3 (Hattel 2, VanNyhuis). 2B - Miss. 3 (Dwyer, Rutherford, Cuffe), Gla. 0. SB - Miss. 13 (Kirk 4, Johnson 2, Dwyer 2, Bartenhagen 2, Belet 2, Rutherford), Gla. 2 (Whitcomb, VanNyhuis).