Lakers soak Med Hat

Thursday's games shortened to one 5-inning game

The Kalispell Lakers beat Medicine Hat 6-3 in a rain-shortened Western AA American Legion baseball game Thursday at Griffin Field.

The Lakers and Moose Monarchs were scheduled to play two seven-inning games beginning at 6 p.m., but the field was saturated from afternoon storms and play didn't commence until 8:30. The teams played only five innings before the umpires called the first game, citing unsafe playing conditions. The second game is tentatively rescheduled for July 23 or 24.

Kalispell pitcher Adam Olson got off to a shaky start, but settled down quickly, pitching all five innings to earn the win and move the Lakers to 9-9 in conference play.

Olson hit Medicine Hat center fielder Travis Ozdan to start the game before allowing a single to second baseman Lee Fruson. Olson then forced shortstop Mike Lewis to ground into a double play, but Ozdan advanced to third on the play and scored on a wild pitch to first baseman Cam Rittinger.

Rittinger led Medicine Hat's offense, going 2-for-2 on a single and a double while driving in two runs. He was also hit by a pitch.

Olson held Medicine Hat to four hits, allowing just two more runs the rest of the game.

Lakers catcher Jake Fitzsimmons went 2-for-3 off Medicine Hat pitcher Mackenzie Blezard, driving in two runs on a fourth-inning triple off the left field wall.

Blezard only allowed five hits, but he walked six batters.

"I know all the guys were pretty tired," Fitzsimmons said. "We were working on the field for about six hours and finally started playing, and I know we were a little down at first, but then once we started going we got into the ballgame and played well."

Fitzsimmons knew his battery-mate would find his rhythm once he found the strike zone.

"It was pretty bad at first, but then (Olson) settled in and started throwing strikes," Fitzsimmons said. "Once he starts throwing strikes he throws a good ballgame and he's throwing really good right now."

Medicine Hat loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning, but Olson struck out Moose Monarchs catcher Brad Rintoul to end the game.

Medicine Hat coach Alain Quijano was frustrated to see his team fall to 5-4 in conference play on a shortened game, but he conceded that the umpires' decision to stop the game was the right one.

"It was good for the kids because we don't need the kids to get hurt," Quijano said.

Quijano wouldn't speculate on whether the game would have been called after five innings if his team were ahead instead of the hometown Lakers.

"That's immaterial because it didn't happen," Quijano said.

The Lakers have won four straight conference games since losing the opener to last week's doubleheader against the Great Falls Stallions.

Kalispell coach Ryan Malmin said the Lakers played well throughout June, but often came up short because they didn't get clutch hits with runners in scoring position. Kalispell's offense has gotten those key hits lately, including second baseman Austin Zapata's two-out single that drove in two runs in the second inning, giving Kalispell a 2-1 lead.

Zapata's hit was a crucial turning point in an important win for the Lakers.

"It's unfortunate for either team, coming up on the losing end of that, but to get out of there with a win in the short game is huge for us as every conference win matters for us right now," Malmin said.

Malmin wasn't sure how his players would perform against a tough Medicine Hat team following a long rain delay.

"I was worried about it a little bit just because six hours of standing around and the uncertainty of playing and then having to put the game face on, but the kids did a great job of stepping up and focusing," Malmin said.

Medicine Hat 102 00 - 3 4 1

Kalispell 020 4x - 6 5 1

Mackenzie Blezard and Brad Rintoul. Adam Olson and Jake Fitzsimmons. W - Olson. L - Blezard.

Medicine Hat (5-4) - Travis Ozdan 0-2, Lee Fruson 1-1, Mike Lewis 1-3, Cam Rittinger 2-2, Rintoul 0-3, Blezard 0-1, Brandon Anhorn 0-1, Jason Reeder 0-2, Kat Nunweiler 0-2.

Kalispell (9-9) - Stefan Malkuch 0-2, Dan Conners 1-2, Fitzsimmons 2-3, Geoff Hogan 0-2, John White 0-1, Olson 0-2, Austin Zapata 1-2, Chris Hooley 1-1.

RBIs - Med. Hat 2 (Rittinger 2). Kal. 5 (Fitzsimmons 2, Zapata 2, Conners). 3B - Kal. 1 (Fitzsimmons). 2B - Med. Hat 1 (Rittinger). SB - Med. Hat 3 (Rittinger, Lewis, Fruson).