Semitool Reds stay unbeaten

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

The Semitool Reds brought some hardware home to Bigfork June 8.

The Bigfork Youth Baseball major team went unbeaten during the regular season for an 8-0 record and also won the league tournament for an 11-0 record. The Reds beat Deer Park 7-0, Glacier Clean 12-0 and Whitefish Credit Union 5-3 in the league tournament.

"We're just coming together and playing well," Reds coach James Lafontaine said.

Both the team's offense and defense shined during the tournament.

Jeremiah Franklin was 6-for-10 at the plate during the three games. He also scored twice. Josh Mitich was 5-for-7 and scored eight runs. His brother Jake Mitich went 6-for-7 with eight RBIs and scored three runs. Luke Lafontaine recorded five hits in his six plate appearances. He also walked a couple of times, added six RBIs and scored four times.

Ryan Buschang started the defensive effort in the first inning of the championship game June 8. He made a running catch down the left field line to record the first out.

"He's really improved," Lafontaine said. "He started the defense off for us."

Mitchell Harsh added to the defense, as well. He threw out a Whitefish Credit Union runner at third base in the fifth inning of the championship game. His throw to third baseman Josh Sather kept the runner from scoring and allowing Whitefish to close in on the Reds' small lead.

Bryce Hagler, who was 2-for-3 against Deer Park, played solid defense at second base throughout the tournament, according to Lafontaine. Dillon Hilling also added to the Reds' defensive efforts, making a nice catch to keep Deer Park hitless and scoreless.

The Mitich brothers, Jake and Josh, did some damage for the Reds on the mound as well as at the plate. The two combined for a four-inning no-hitter against Deer Park June 4. They struck out 10 Deer Park batters. Jake and Josh threw another no-hitter against Glacier Clean June 7. In that game they walked four and struck out 12 in five innings. In the championship game the Mitiches struck out nine batters, allowed five hits and walked three.

"We're small," Lafontaine said of the Reds' numbers. "But we have a good team."

The Reds, who have a 14-4 overall record, will keep their team intact for upcoming all-star and district tournaments. A benefit in Lafontaine's eyes.

"It's an advantage that they've played together all year," he said, whereas other all-star teams must combine players from different teams and hope they gel and get along.

The Reds have two definite tournaments coming up June 29-30 and July 1 and July 6. The team will compete first in the Firecracker Tournament in Kalispell at the end of June. The team's district tournament is July 6. The top two teams from that tournament advance on to the state tournament.