Glacier Prep AllStars take 2nd at State

By DAVID ERICKSON

Whitefish Pilot

The Glacier 13-year-old Prep AllStars fell just two runs short of becoming state champions over the weekend in Belgrade.

They took second place to finish the season at the Babe Ruth Baseball League state championships, losing a heartbreaker 3-4 to Livingston in the championship game.

"The bases were loaded, we were up to bat, and their third baseman made a great play to end the game," said coach Chuck Houston. "We were one hit away from going to regionals."

The strong finish caps a great season for the Glacier Prep AllStars, who ended the season with many positives on defense and pitching.

"The kids made huge strides," Houston said of the season. "It's probably the best team I've ever coached. We're going to be giving it a shot at regionals every year from now on."

During the tournament, the Prep AllStars beat Kootenai, 21-10, blew out Northern, 17-3, and beat Highline, 11-4 in the semifinals.

The 14-15-year-old AllStars also did well at their state tournament in Havre, placing third, and they can be proud of their season as well.

The AllStars finally beat Kalispell, 11-6, something they hadn't done all season.

"It's a huge thing to overcome, beating those guys," league president Ray Queen said. "They're going to play those guys 100 times over the next few years, so mentally, it was good to get the win."

"They played remarkably tough against some fierce competitors," AllStar coach Dan Blakemore said. "They represented the communities of Whitefish and Columbia Falls well."

Earlier this month, the AllStars took home first place at the annual Guy Houston tournament in Whitefish and Columbia Falls.

"Considering where we were at in the beginning of this year, with the league almost folding, this weekend was amazing," Queen said. "Just the people that we had come together, I couldn't be more happy."