The Libby Loggers Legion baseball team split two seven-inning games with the Rocky Mountain Bandits on Saturday. The Loggers lost the first game in extra-innings, 6-5, but won the second matchup, 15-9.  

Down 6-5 in the bottom of the first game’s eighth inning, the Loggers loaded the bases after second baseman Collin Johnson, center fielder Cameron Burkes and shortstop Will Reichel reached base. This sent third baseman Luke Haggerty to the plate with two outs and a chance to win the game.  

Haggerty, who went 1-for-4, grounded a sharp one at the Bandits’ pitcher, who fielded the ball cleanly before throwing to first to end the game.

Haggerty’s bad luck cemented a comeback victory for the Bandits. The Loggers led 5-0 after four innings.

“We capitalized on some of their mistakes defensively,” Coach Kelly Morford said. “We were able to put some good swings on the ball.”

Burkes led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single. A sacrifice bunt by Reichel moved him to second, and a double by catcher Oliver Grupenhoff drove in the first run of the game.  

The Loggers scored one more run in the third inning, and three runs in the fourth, but that would be the last time Libby scored.

The Bandits, who tallied two runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth inning, finally took the lead in the eighth after catcher Brandon Ouillette stole two bases and scored on an RBI groundout by teammate Cedar Kemp.

Morford said the same old problems plagued his team.

“We’ve been making silly mistakes and giving up extra bases,” Morford said. “We’re not making routine plays in key situations.”

In the second game, the Loggers made up for their defensive mistakes with offensive — and lots of it.

The Loggers loaded the bases to start the game. Batting cleanup, Grupenhoff capitalized on the situation, smashing a grand slam over the left field fence.

“I didn’t know it would go that far, but I was pretty confident it was going over,” Grupenhoff said. “Missing the opportunity for a walk-off win in the first game, it was nice to come out and get that hit.”

The Loggers finished the first inning with five runs, and grew their lead in the second inning when they scored four more.

After Grupenhoff, Dylon Lane and Ryan Huffman loaded the bases on walks. A balk by Oulliette scored one run, and a triple by Loggers’ second baseman Erik Lauer drove in two more. Lauer then scored on a passed ball.

The Loggers led 9-5 at the end of the second inning. Libby scored two more runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth inning.  

Burkes, who started on the mound, picked up the win for the Loggers.

“We need to communicate better defensively,” Morford said. “We’re not always on the same page.”