Six Kalispell pitchers combined for a 2-hitter as the Lakers downed the Libby Loggers 8-1 in a nonconference American Legion baseball game at Griffin Field Thursday.

Libby’s Jared Winslow doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly in the first inning, and Andrew Haggerty followed with a single, but the Lakers (9-7) did not allow a hit the rest of the game.

“We came out and threw first-pitch strikes, which we try to focus on in practice,” Lakers catcher Dillon Matteson said. 

“We didn’t walk many people, which really sets the tone for our defense. When our pitchers do well, our defense does well and our hitting comes around. It all starts with the pitching really.”

Kalispell’s Hank McLeod earned the win, pitching two hitless innings in relief of starter Luke LaFontaine. Adam Frandsen, Colten Wiley, Lukas Leigh and Justin Wallace also pitched hitless relief innings. The staff totaled 10 strikeouts and just two walks.

“They ran a lot of different guys out there and every one of them showed us a little something different,” Loggers coach Kelly Morford said. “And every one of them was a good pitcher, so it was a combination of good pitching on their part and we’re still trying to work out some kinks mechanically on our side.”

AA rookie Lukas Leigh led the Lakers at the plate, batting 2 for 3 with four RBIs. His RBI-single in the second inning gave Kalispell a 2-1 lead and his 3-run double in the fourth put the Lakers up by seven runs.

“That first single up the middle gave me confidence, and when I get good hits I usually do well the whole game,” Leigh said.

His double — a shot deep in the left-center field gap — came with two outs and was Kalispell’s only extra-base hit.

“(The pitch) was right down the middle,” Leigh said. “I’ve been in a slump, so I’ve been trying to keep my eye on the ball and stay back. That’s what I did and it worked pretty good.”

Justin Wallace recorded an RBI in the third inning, driving in Adam Frandsen with a single through the left side of the infield.

Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said he was pleased with his teams execution on offense and defense.

“We got some very important and much-needed reps at the plate,” he said. “I thought our pitchers did a good job of locating and hitting their spots, working their routine and keeping the tempo between pitches. And defensively I thought that we were clean.”

The Lakers also benefited from Libby’s defensive woes. The Loggers (5-6) committed seven errors and allowed four unearned runs.

Libby starting pitcher Will Reichel gave up all eight runs on six hits and four walks.

The Lakers travel to Missoula Saturday for a Memorial Day tournament.

“It’s always good to get a win, especially going into this tournament,” Matteson said. “We’re going to see some tough teams in Missoula, so this will be a momentum-builder. Hopefully we can build off this during that tournament and going into conference play.”

Libby hosts Mission Valley’s B team on Sunday.

Libby100000000—127

Kalispell02330000x—870

Will Reichel, Andrew Haggerty (4), Micah Germany (7), Cameron Burkes (8) and Oliver Grupenhoff. Luke LaFontaine, Hank McLeod (3), Adam Frandsen (5), Colten Wiley (6), Lukas Leigh (8), Justin Wallace (9) and Dillon Matteson. W - McLeod. L - Reichel.

LIBBY - Reichel 0-3, Jared Winslow 1-4, Germany 0-2, Grupenhoff 0-3, A. Haggerty 1-3, Banks Stocking 0-1, Joshua Foote 0-3, Austin Marshall 0-2, Dylan Berget 0-3, Cameron Burkes 0-3

KALISPELL - Chris Combs 1-3, Charlie Obermiller 1-4, Dillon Eaves 1-5, Sean O’Connell 1-4, Frandsen 0-2, Jake Barstow 0-2, Matteson 0-3, Lukas Leigh 2-3, Wiley 0-3, Wallace 1-2

2B - Winslow; Leigh. RBI - Grupenhoff; Leigh 4, Wallace.