Glacier wins Guy Houston tourney

The 14 and 15-year-old Glacier Babe Ruth All Stars continued their winning ways by winning the Guy Houston Tournament this past weekend in Columbia Falls and Whitefish. Chris King put things away in the top of the seventh inning in the championship game against Mission Valley. Strong pitching performances all weekend long from Willy Roach, Cody Hill and Kris Gross helped.

Glacier opened up against Mission Valley in pool play. Glacier came out hot with the bats and the lead, but Mission battled back to get the win 9-8. Glacier's bats woke up for the second game against Bitterroot Valley and ended the game early with a lopsided 26-0 win ending up with a 1-1 record in pool play. Glacier opened up with Mission Valley again in bracket play. Glacier answered the call and won convincingly 12-2 over Mission. Now they were 1-1 against each other in the tournament. Glacier then came out with a late game on Saturday night with an 11 p.m. starting time against a tough Kalispell team and used the left handed arm of Cody Hill to get the 7-5 win.

Glacier advanced to the championship game against Mission Valley.

The lead changed four times with Mission answering with a six-run inning in the fourth due to numerous mental errors on Glacier's part.

Then in the seventh, Chris King stepped up with a three-run bomb to put the game away and win the championship 13-11.

Glacier now gears up for the district tournament hosted by Kalispell Babe Ruth this Friday through Sunday.

Also at the Houston tourney, the 13-year-old preps came out undefeated in pool play by handling Helena in the first round 15-9.

Helena came out and put four runs on the board then Glacier woke up and swung the sticks. Everybody in the line up hit and Jimmy Dunnigan came in to pitch, keeping Helena's bats idle.

Glacier's defense and good pitching gave them a win against Bitterroot, 6-2.

Glacier came in as the No. 1 seed entering the double elimination bracket of the tournament. Glacier first faced Bitterroot Valley and took it to them with a 10-4 victory.

Glacier then came out against a hungry Kootenai team who ended up winning the tournament. This team from Eureka and Noxon plus surrounding area puts out great baseball teams. Glacier couldn't get it done against this team with talent. Kootenai Valley won 9-5. Helena stayed alive to face Glacier one more time. Costly errors proved to be a huge factor as Helena won the game and knocked the Glacier boys out of the tourney.

The Glacier Prep allstars did a very good job of playing and taking on the responsibilities of the tournament. Staying at the field all day long Saturday being the hosts took its toll on the young men. Glacier Prep also is heading to districts hosted by Kalispell. The games will be Friday through Saturday.

- Ray Queen