LIBBY, Mont. — The North Idaho Lakers were defeated in two close games against the Mission Valley Mariners and the Bitterroot Bucks in the first round of the Libby Big Bucks Tournament on Thursday at Lee Gehring Field. The Lakers were defeated by the Mariners, 5-3, and by the Bucks, 7-2.

In Game 1 against Mission Valley, the Lakers fell behind early. The team attempted to rally late after going down 5-0 after three innings, but fell just short. Eight different Lakers recorded hits in the contest; Jorden Tyler and Jayden Kuprienko both recorded doubles. Parker Reichart recorded the only two RBIs for the Lakers. On the mound, Mason Little pitched five innings giving up six hits and four runs while striking out two batters in the 5-3 loss.

About two hours later, the Lakers were set for Game 2 against the Bitterroot Bucs. The Lakers once again fell behind early, but did not give up without a fight. Going into the sixth, the team trailed 5-0 before Zeke Roop and Greyson Johnson hit back-to-back doubles to make it a 5-2 ball game. Reichart then singled on the very next-at-bat, but the Bucs would be able to get out of the jam. Dallen Williams led the Lakers in the 7-2 loss going two-for-four at the plate with two singles and a run scored. On the mound, Sage Medeiros and Reichart had solid outings striking out a combined nine batters in seven innings of action.

The Lakers (7-9) will be back in action June 24 at the Libby Big Bucks Tournament against an opponent yet to be determined. The team will also compete in the home run derby and skills challenge on the 24th.

GAME ONE

NORTH IDAHO 3, MISSION VALLEY 5

North Idaho 000 002 1 – 3 8 2

Mission Valley 302 000 X – 5 6 1

W – Fisher. L – Little.

HITS: NIL – Little, Inge, Williams, Tyler, Roop, Reichart, Aexel, Kuprienko. MVM – DuMont 2, W. Wadsworth 2, Fisher, Haggard.

2B – Kuprienko, Tyler, DuMont. 3B – DuMont.

GAME TWO

BITTERROOT 7, NORTH IDAHO 2

Bitterroot 201 200 2 – 7 8 2

North Idaho 000 002 0 – 2 7 3

W – Root. L – Medeiros.

HITS: NIL – Williams 2, Inge, Little, Roop, Johnson, Reichart. BB – Reinhardt 2, Oster, Wagner, Wheeler, Philbrick, Combs Jr., Hinsdale.

2B – Roop, Johnson, Reinhardt, Wheeler.