Glacier All-Stars come up short in regional semi

The Glacier Babe Ruth 13U All-Stars, made of players from Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Bigfork, ended their run at the Northwest Regional Babe Ruth Tournament in Kennewick, Wash., with a loss in the semifinal game.

The All-Stars opened the tournament with a 5-2 win over Alberta on Aug. 1. Behind in the early innings 0-2, the Flathead team put a run on the board in the third inning after AJ Wetsch hit an RBI.

In the fifth, Greyson Bistodeau singled to left to get on base. Jed Nagler crushed a 2-RBI double to put the All-Stars up 3-2. Wetsch continued the inning with an RBI bunt, and Nagler scored during a pickle to make it 5-2. Colten Parker started on the mound and threw three innings. Jonny Sapa closed out the final four innings.

"It was an awesome game," coach Brent Wetsch said after the game. "Everybody played well. All of these games are going to be close. There won't be any blow outs."

The All-Stars went on to defeat a team from Seattle, 12-5, and a team from Rock Springs, Wyo., 15-9, before losing to the host team, Kennewick, Wash., 14-9.

"We came out pretty flat and didn't play very well," coach Wetsch said after the loss. "They were hitting us."

The All-Stars played their final game against Bend, Ore., in the semifinal round on Saturday, Aug. 6, losing 10-8. The game ended with the bases loaded in the final inning when a Bend outfielder made an outstanding catch. The All-Stars left the tournament 3-2.

"The boys fought hard, worked hard and played as a team," coach Wetsch said. "That's how you get to these divisionals."