LIBBY — The Mission Valley Mariners are off to an impeccable start at the Libby Big Bucks Tournament, winning both of their games on the tournament’s opening day.

The  Mariners opened up the day with a 5-2 victory over Rainier Baseball on Thursday.

The Mariners scored two runs in both the first and third innings, and Rainier answered in each bottom half with one run of their own.

Mission Valley would score again in the fifth while holding Rainier scoreless in the rest of the game, riding Bradley Pichler’s arm to the victory.

Pichler struck out seven in as many innings while scattering five hits in his complete game victory.

At the plate, the Mariners were led by hot-hitting Zeke Webster-Yaqui, whose 4 for 4 effort included two RBIs and a triple in the contest.

Webster-Yaqui was joined by teammate T.J. Olson who also provided the Mariners with a dynamic hitting performance.

Olson was 2 for 3, hitting two doubles while driving in a game-high three RBIs.

Lead-off hitter Ryan Pablo was also 2 for 3 at the plate as  Mission Valley’s top half of the batting order consistently produced base runners in the opening contest.

In the Mariner’s second contest, starting pitcher Derek Peel trotted out to the mound against the Tri-County Cardinals in hope of putting his team in position for an undefeated first day in Libby.

Peel did more than give his team a chance to win. He practically won them the game, throwing a no-hitter, as the Mariners triumphantly won 8-0 in five innings after the game ended due to the tournament’s mercy-rule.

Peel struck out just two batters, but he only gave up one walk, and held the Cardinals to just three base runners — two of them reaching on errors.

Mission Valley scored one run in the first and third inning before breaking the game open with a six-run fourth inning, taking a commanding 8-0 lead.

With plenty of run support and the mercy-rule on his side, Peel shut down Tri-County in the top of the fifth for a memorable performance.

Offensively, Olson continued shine in the batter’s box with another 2 for 3 effort, including a home run and 2 RBIs.

Alex Killian and Bransen Krebs also went 2 for 3 with an RBI in the second game while Pablo, and Jacob Harrod added RBIs as well.

The Big Bucks Tournament continues through the weekend, and after using just two pitchers in as many games, the Mariners look poised to make a run at the title.

Game 1

Mission Valley    202    010    0    —    5    9    1

Rainier    101    000    0    —    2    5    1

W — Bradley Pichler L — Trevor Lawson

MISSION VALLEY — Ryan Pablo 2-3, Zeke Webster-Yaqui 4-4, Alex Killian 1-4, T.J. Olson 2-3, Bransen Krebs 0-3, Jacob Harrod 0-2, Jared Young 0-3, Trevo Paro 0-3, Brennen Andrews 0-3, Brenen Abromeit 0-0.

RAINIER — Hunter Geltz 0-2, Dakota Hoesel 1-3, Nate Affonso 0-3, Logan Wood 1-2, Jordan Steiner 0-3, Trevor Lawson 0-2, Robert Oakley 0-1, Mikael Everson 0-3, Jordan Rounds 1-3, Brandon Glick 2-2.

2B — Olson 2. 3B — Webster-Yaqui. RBIs — Webster-Yaqui 2, Olson 3, Hoesel 1.

Game 2

Tri County Cardinals    000    00    —    0    0    4

Mission Valley Mariners    101    6    —    8    10    2

W — Derek Peel. L — Kyle Schmidt.

TRI-COUNTY — Kyle Schmidt 0-2, Seth Kitchin 0-2, Kyle Wanner 0-2, Ryan Clark 0-2, Tanner Mayer 0-1, Cooper Hawke 0-2, James Konen 0-2, Isaiah Dunk 0-1, Mason Murray 0-1.

MISSION VALLEY — Ryan Pablo 1-2, Zeke Webster-Yaqui 1-3, Alex Killian 2-3, T.J. Olson 2-3, Bransen Krebs 2-3, Jacob Harrod 1-3, Trevor Paro 0-1, Jared Young 0-2, Brennen Andrews 1-2, Bradley Pichler 0-1.

2B — Krebs. HR — Olson. RBIs — Pablo, Killian, Olson 2, Krebs, Harrod.

Rainier 10, Libby 0

The Libby Loggers dropped their Big Bucks Tournament opener, losing 10-0 to Rainier Baseball on Thursday.

The Loggers couldn’t overcome Rainier third baseman Tyler Klein’s 5 RBIs, who was 2 for 4 on the day.

Rainier scored twice in the first inning and had a four-run fifth inning to break the contest open.

Will Reichel threw five innings for Libby, striking out six and walking just three.

Centerfielder Cameron Burkes, Reichel and shortstop Collin Johnson had hits for Libby.

Rainier    200    143    —    10    9    0

Libby    000    000    —    0    3    6

Logan Wood and Jake Rosio. Will Reichel, Collin Johnson (6) and Oliver Grupenhoff. W — Wood. L — Reichel.

RAINIER — Hunter Geltz 1-4, Dakota Hoesel 1-3, Jake Mathney 2-2, Logan Wood 3-4, Tyler Klein 2-4, Tyler Kurle 0-3, Cody Whitemarsh 0-3, Jake Rosio 0-2, Kyle Pierce 0-3.

LIBBY — Cameron Burkes 1-3, Luke Haggerty 0-2, Will Reichel 1-2, Oliver Grupenhoff 0-3, Dylon Lane 0-2, Ryan Huffman 0-2, Brandon Sadewasser 0-1, Austin Marshall 0-1, Braydan Thom 0-2, Collin Johnson 1-1.

RBIs — Matheny, Wood, Klein 5, Kurle.