Sasquatch 10U claims Silver Bracket Championship
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 2 hours, 48 minutes AGO
The Sasquatch 10U squad pose for a picture with their Bitterroot Tournament Silver Bracket Championship rings. Back (L-R): coaches Robert Hale, Matt Wilson, Matt Satlak; Middle row (L-R): Ivan Peak, Manny MacDonald, Derek Cross, Jaxson Caston; Front row (L-R): Riggs Lightbody, Rocco Grillo, JD Wilson, Briggs Hale, Jaxen Fournier, Cedar Satlak; not pictured: Coach Mike Peak, Coach Daniel Viloria, Jaxon Viloria and Eli Carlson.
Photo Courtesy KAYLA HALE
LIBBY — The Sandpoint Sasquatch 10U put together an impressive weekend at the Bitterroot Tournament, finishing pool play 1-2 before rallying through bracket play to capture the Silver Bracket Championship.
The tournament, which took place in June, opened with a strong 8-2 victory over the Bitterroot Red Sox All-Stars. The Sasquatch offense came alive early and never looked back, combining timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and solid pitching to secure the win.
Pool play continued against the Kalispell Sluggers Black, where Sasquatch faced a tough opponent and fell 10-2. Despite the loss, Jaxon Viloria recorded five strikeouts in relief, while Elijah Carlson, Riggs Lightbody, Manny Macdonald, Jaxen Fournier and Viloria each collected hits.
Later that day, the Sasquatch squared off against the Flathead A’s in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. After trailing by four runs, the team mounted a six-run fourth inning to take the lead, highlighted by a two-run double from Carlson. The comeback ultimately came up just short as Flathead regained the lead late, handing Sasquatch an 8-7 loss.
Finishing pool play as the third seed, the Sasquatch entered bracket play determined to make a run. They got their chance Sunday morning in a rematch against the Flathead A’s and made the most of it.
Behind a 15-hit offensive attack, Sasquatch earned a 9-6 victory. Maconald led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, while Cedar Satlak, Briggs Hale, JD Wilson, Lightbody and Fournier each recorded multiple hits. Wilson also delivered a dominant relief appearance, striking out four while allowing no runs.
The championship game brought another rematch with the Bitterroot Red Sox All-Stars, and it proved to be a fitting finale. Sasquatch found themselves trailing by as many as five runs early, but refused to quit. Powered by a relentless offense and outstanding pitching, the team stormed back for a 12-8 victory to claim the Silver Bracket Championship.
Wilson was unstoppable at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and earning the win on the mound after striking out six over three innings of relief. Sasquatch pounded out 15 hits in the championship game, with Ivan Peak, Satlak, Hale, Macdonald and Rocco Grillo each driving in two runs.
Over the course of the tournament, the Sasquatch displayed resilience, determination, and a never-give-up attitude. After a challenging pool-play schedule, the team responded with two clutch victories on Sunday to bring home the Silver Bracket Championship ring and cap off an impressive weekend of baseball.