Mavs Go 0-2 Against Kalispell To Open Conference Play

Replay

American Legion Baseball Conference play opened with dramatic fashion Sunday as the Missoula Mavericks made the trip North to play the Kalispell Lakers and the Lakers sent the Mavs home with a pair of loses.

Game one would be all about pitching, particularly on Kalispells side of the diamond as Drew Sherrer put on a show, leading the lakers to a 5-2 victory over Missoula. Sherrer stone walled the Missoula batters in the opening frames as the Lakers pitcher would mow down the first nine batters to hold the Mavericks off the bases. It would not be until late in the game when the Mav offense began to gain ground on Sherrer and he would allow the Mavericks to earn two runs that went against him in the sixth and seventh innings.

In the second game Kalispell stayed consistent from the bump as Sam Elliot received the call to throw from the mound and he would ride the momentum off Sherrer from game one to give the Lakers a 9-1 win. The Mavs found success early earning a run in the top of the second to take the lead for the first time on the day, but Kalispell swing back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the same inning. Elliot settled in on the bump after that and the Lakers supporting Elliot with stellar play from the field. Late in the game pitching became a factor for Missoula as they would load the bases and allow five runs to seal the win for Kalispell.

The Mavericks will host the hottest team in Montana at the Legion level in the Billings Royals this week with the first doubleheader getting under way Wednesday night.