A Lakers rally to salvage split with Reps

Wyatt Sharp singled in the eventual game-winning run in a 12-8 game two victory as the Kalispell A Lakers split a doubleheader with the Helena Reps Thursday at Archie Roe Field.

The Reps’ bats got hot late in game one to help Helena to an 11-5 decision. 

Early in the first game both teams found some offense as Helena (23-20-1) scored twice thanks to an error and an RBI groundout in the first inning. Kalispell (10-24) responded with two runs of their own as Ian Wilcox scored after tripling, then Walter Gardiner came in on a passed ball to tie the game at two. 

The Lakers led 4-3 lead in the fourth on an RBI triple from Dustin Gladeau and an RBI single from Madden Carrier. 

Helena used three RBI singles in the fifth to retake the lead and didn’t surrender it from there. Judah Evans’ two-run single and Brayden Spurzem’s RBI base knock in the sixth gave the Reps some insurance. They added two more in the seventh. 

John Selff went six innings on the mound for Kalispell, fanning one. 

In game two Helena continued its offensive explosion as a Colt LaFromboise single in the second helped put the Reps up 7-0. 

Kalispell rebounded in the the second with six runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Blake Paulsen and an RBI double from Jacobe Sullenger. 

Chase Nadeau tied the game with a single in the third, before Sharp doubled to put the Lakers ahead 8-7. 

In the fifth, Sharp started a string of three straight RBI singles to help the Lakers lead balloon to 12-7 — Lincoln St. Jean drove in a pair on his hit. 

Helena got one run back in the sixth but got no closer. Owen Kim shut things down after that to give Kalispell the win. Kim tossed three innings, allowing one run on four hits. 

The A Lakers are back on the diamond Sunday for a home doubleheader with the Glacier Twins starting at 1 p.m.