Mavericks unload on Lakers

The Daily Inter Lake

A couple of big innings carried the Missoula Mavericks to a 16-3 AA Western Conference American Legion baseball victory Sunday afternoon over the Kalispell Lakers.

The Mavericks, leading 5-3, tallied five runs in the sixth inning and came back with five more in the eighth to end the game on the 10-run rule.

"We had an opportunity for a double play (in the sixth inning) and didn't get it done," Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said.

"We need to win out (to make it to state)."

The Lakers are 9-10 in league play. Malmin says Missoula leads with just three losses while the Great Falls Stallions have four, Medicine Hat six, the Great Falls Electrics eight and Lethbridge eight.

"Zach Davis threw well," said Malmin.

"He had great velocity. He lost his location a little bit."

Stefan Malkuch and Dan Conners led Kalispell offensively, both going 2-for-4.

Conor Dwyer went 4-for-5 for Missoula, which included a double and a home run. He drove in four runs.

Mac Kirk also homered for Missoula.

The Lakers will play in the Sapa Johnsrud Tournament, which begins later this week. The team's next league game is July 18 at home with the Glacier Twins.

MAVERICKS 16, LAKERS 3

Missoula 011 305 15 - 16 16 2

Kalispell 000 300 00 - 3 7 3

Brad Rutherford, Travis Johnsen (8) and Chris Bartenhagan. Zach Davis , Adam Olsen (4), Tyler Reichoff (6) and Jake Fitzsimmons. W - Rutherford (7-4). L - Davis

Missoula - Johnsen 2-5, Taylor King 1-4, Conor Dwyer 4-5, Bartenhagan 1-4, Cody Burgmeier 0-1, Ryan Sharkey 1-2, Rutherford 2-4, Dan Belet 1-2, Mac Cuffe 2-3, Mac Kirk 2-4.

Kalispell - Stefan Malkuch 2-4, Dan Conners 2-4, Fitzsimmons 0-4, Geoff Hogan 1-3, White 0-4, Adam Olson 0-3, Tucker Hankinson 0-1, Reichoff 1-4, Austin Zapata 0-3 Chris Hooley 1-2.

2B - Dwyer, Bartenhagen, Rutherford. HR - Dwyer, Kirk. RBIs- Johnsen, Dwyer 4, Bartenhagan 2, Burgmeier, Rutehrford, Belet, Cuffe 2, Kirk 3, Malcoff 1, Conners 1.