Twins stumble in state championship, finish second to Gallatin Valley

The Glacier Twins needed a win to force a second championship game and extend their bid for the State A title on Monday, but couldn’t get any offense going against Gallatin Valley who won the game 10-0.

Although the Twins came up short in the state championship, they fought to win a series of close games throughout the tournament, going 3-2 over the weekend. The Gallatin Valley Outlaws were the only team to beat the Twins at state; they narrowly won 6-5 over Glacier on Saturday as well.

The Glacier Twins completed their winning season 51-16 overall, claiming the West A district title and finishing second in the state.

In the championship game nothing came easy for the Twins. Their highlight was a single by Stevyn Andrachick in the first inning; he went 2-for-3 at bat in the game. Mason Peters also recorded a hit, but Gallatin Valley had 10 hits to Glacier’s three. George Robbins started on the mound for the Twins, pitching four innings allowing six runs on seven hits.

Gallatin Valley’s pitcher Patrick Dieiz threw a tough game against the Twins over five innings, allowing zero runs on three hits, striking out seven and walking one.

Earlier in the tournament the Twins jumped out to an early lead in their opening game against the Havre Northstars. They put up two runs in the first inning and added five more in the second inning which was enough for a 7-5 victory.

Next Glacier defeated the Laurel Dodgers 8-3. Consistent scoring over five innings led to the win while the Twins tallied 12 hits led by Peters with three while Andrachick hit three RBIs. Zach Veneman pitched in the game, lasting nearly six innings and striking out six players.

On Saturday the Twins dropped a game to Gallatin Valley, 6-5. The Twins led 5-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and unfortunately allowed the Outlaws three runs in the final inning.

The next day Glacier bounced back to defeat Belgrade in a low-scoring game, 2-1. Andrachick was on the mound for the Twins and allowed just three hits and one run over seven innings. Veneman’s sacrifice fly and Jacob Polumbus’ groundout put the only two runs on the board for the Twins in the first inning, and it was enough to hang on for the victory.

That set up the Twins for a rematch with Gallatin Valley in the championship.

The Twins were hoping to earn a spot to compete at the American Legion A Regional Tournament in Alaska this weekend, but came up just short of qualifying.