By Jean Schurman
The Bitterroot Red Sox have had a stellar run this season on the diamond. The team had a little bobble last weekend at the district tournament in Ronan but roared back to take the championship. This week, they have been at the American Legion State A tournament in Kalispell and they have been cruising. They played in the championship game on Monday against Laurel but those results were not in at press time.
At districts, the Red Sox lost to the Glacier Twins, 4-3, and then had to make their way back through the loser’s bracket. They topped the Bitterroot Bucs, 11-2, and advanced on to the championship where they matched up against Glacier again. Because Glacier was undefeated, the Red Sox had to beat them twice to earn the championship. The first game was a blowout with the Red Sox knocking in 23 runs to win, 23-4. The second game was not a blowout but the Red Sox bats and defense held Glacier off, 6-3, and took the championship.
This past weekend, the Red Sox came out strongly and have played tough the entire tournament. They opened against Lethbridge and never were threatened. Pitcher Kyle Norman held the Canadian team to only five hits and two runs. Zach Ringer went 2-for-3 with a single and a double and four RBIs. Jonathan Ringer had a double and two RBIs in the 16-3 win.
The Red Sox took on Laurel in their game on Friday and escaped with a 6-3 win. The Red Sox came from behind in the fifth inning when Tyler Scheffer scored on a Nate Loranger RBI single. Then it was brotherly love as Zach Ringer hit a long ball that scored Jonathan. Zach Ringer scored again in the seventh inning and Loranger added another run. Jonathan Ringer was the winning pitcher.
Next up for the Red Sox were the Glasgow Reds the champions from the east. Zach Ringer took the 17-2 win and allowed only four hits. Justin Horvath went 2-for-5 with four RBIs. Tylor Nixon went 4-for-5 with two RBIs.
The Red Sox met Lethbridge again on Sunday night with a trip to the championship game on the line. Hunter Omlid was the winning pitcher for the Bitterroot team. They had 10 hits and scored seven runs in the 7-5 win. Austin Ray went 1-for-4 with a triple. Zach Ringer went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
If the Red Sox won the first game on Monday, they would be the champions. This is a double elimination tournament and Bitterroot hadn’t lost any games in the tournament. Laurel would have to win back-to-back games to take the title. The winner will advance to the regional tournament in Cheyenne, Wyoming. That tournament begins August 5.