Twins' bats silent at Ed Gallo Tourney

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Glacier Twins A squad just ran out of steam in their final game of the Ed Gallo Memorial Tournament, losing to the Toros of Meridian, Idaho, 0-10 on Saturday. The Twins took fourth place overall.

The Whitefish tournament began in 1990 as a tribute to the late Ed Gallo in recognition of his work to grow the Glacier baseball program.

The highlight of the weekend was the Tourney Skills Contest on Friday night at Memorial Park, in which the players compete in the Hot Hands Contest, Outfield Accuracy Throwing Contest, the Speed Running Contest and a Home Run Derby.

The Twins may have used up all their energy in the skills competition, because they came out flat against the Toros on Saturday.

"They had a good pitcher. He came in throwing 80 mph fast balls, and we just couldn't hit the ball," Twins assistant head coach Doug Schuch said of the Toros. "Defensively, we had six errors, so that didn't help either. Basically, they executed and we didn't."

Schuch said he saw some good things from his guys on the mound throughout the week.

"All through the tournament, our pitchers did a really good job for us," he said. "Our biggest problem was hitting."

Schuch said Glacier committed only one error against Kootenai Valley.

"It shows that we can play error-free ball if we want to," he said.

Jeremy Nielsen did a great job for the Twins, according to Schuch.

"He was probably our hot bat throughout the tournament," he said. "Every game, he was getting on base. He played third, catcher and second base, so we used him all over. He had a really good tournament."

Trevor Miller pitched really well against Kootenai, Schuch said.

"Chase Anderson pitched well in relief, but the team didn't help him defensively," Schuch said. "Again, we just couldn't hit the ball."

The Twins lost to Whitman County 4-8 on Wednesday, then beat Kootenai Valley 10-9 on Thursday. They lost a close one to the Colstrip Rangers on Friday, 0-3.

"I think the boys really thought they were going to get into that championship game," Twins head coach Scott Murray said. "When they didn't, I don't think they even got out of bed on Saturday. We had a couple one- and two-error games, so we're going in the right direction. I'm pretty proud of them."

If you are reading this paper on Wednesday evening, the Twins are playing nine-inning game against the Kalispell Lakers starting at 7 p.m., and making up a rain-canceled game as well tonight.

The Twins resume play on Saturday when they take on the Missoula Mavericks in a non-conference game.