The 28th annual Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament is a little bit earlier this year and a little bit smaller.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing on either front.

“There are some good teams here,” Glacier Twins coach Scott Murray said of this year’s field.

“The baseball teams that are showing up are quality (programs). Some great baseball will be played.”

The American Legion baseball tournament is normally held in early July, last year the 7th-10th, but this year it begins Thursday and ends July 1.

Five teams are entered, down two from last year, with two games on tap starting Thursday.

Play runs through Sunday at Memorial Field in Whitefish.

Not returning from last year are the Lethbridge Spitz Elks, Belgrade Bandits and Apple Valley Packers.

The new team in the mix is Club Spokane Dodgers.

“We’re going to build on it next year,” Murray said of increasing the number of teams entered.

Glacier enters play 6-23-1 on the season and has lost seven straight. The Twins are coming off heart-breaking 7-6 loss in 14-innings to the Western AA leading Missoula Mavericks on Monday. 

The Twins will host the Kalispell Lakers tonight for a single conference game starting at 8 to tune-up for the tournament.

Glacier’s first Sapa-Johnsrud contest is with the Dodgers on Thursday in the final game at 8 p.m.

The Spokane Cannon and Kalispell Lakers have the honor of opening tournament action at 5:15 p.m.

The Lakers beat Apple Valley 12-8 last year to finish third in the tournament.

“We’re starting to put it together,” Murray said.

“I have a lot of confidence in these guys and they are starting to believe in themselves. The W’s aren’t showing up yet, but they will.”

Murray says the Twins have been hitting the ball well and have shown better decision making in the field.

“They have their baseball caps on,” he said.

The Twins have received solid play from Conner Donahue, Carl Talsma and Garrett Houston.

Donahue, 1-4, leads the mound staff in strikeouts (41). His ERA is 4.58.

He has pitched 36 innings.

 Talsma is hitting .348 and shares the team lead in RBIs with Houston. Both have 10.

Houston is hitting .257 and has the team lead in doubles (4).

“Donahue has really stepped up and taken the leadership role,” Murray said.

“He’s been our ace on the hill.

“Talsma is swinging the stick well and pitching well for us, too. He’s an all-around player ... he can do it all for us.”

Murray likes Houston’s work ethic and desire.

“He’s been consistent,” Murray said.

“We rely on him pretty heavily. He’s our utility guy (pitcher/catcher/third baseman). Wherever we need him, he’s ready to step in.”

Houston, 2-3, has pitched 26 innings and has an ERA of 6.82.

Talsma, 2-2, has worked 33 innings on the mound and has an ERA of .509.

Cory Davis, batting .314, leads the Twins in hits (22) and singles (20).

Jeremy Nielsen, hitting a team best .353, has the Twins’ lone home run and a team-best two triples.

Jake Slaybaugh has scored a team high 17 runs.

2012 Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial 

Tournament

At Whitefish Memorial Park

Teams

 Glacier Twins 

 Kalispell Lakers 

 Spokane Cannons from Washington

 Chino Reds from Southern California

 Club Spokane Dodgers White from Washington

Schedule

THURSDAY 

5:15 p.m. — Cannons vs Lakers

8 p.m. — Twins vs Dodgers

FRIDAY 

11 a.m. — Lakers vs Reds

1:45 p.m. — Twins vs Cannons

4:30 p.m. — Dodgers vs Lakers

7:30 p.m. — Twins vs Reds

SATURDAY 

11 a.m. — Cannons vs Dodgers

1:45 p.m. — Reds vs Dodgers

4:30 p.m. — Reds vs Cannons

7:30 p.m. — Twins vs Lakers

SUNDAY 

 11 a.m. — No. 3 Seed vs No. 4 Seed

 2 p.m. — No. 1 Seed vs No. 2 Seed