Riverdogs see success at tournament
SANDERS COUNTY – The Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs have shined in their first couple tournaments of the summer, impressing their supporters and opposing teams.
Part of the Cal Ripken League, The Riverdogs are a 10 and under all-star team from the minors division.
All-star team practices started nearly a month ago, immediately following the conclusion of the Plains Day tournament at the Amundson Sports Complex.
The tournament marked the end of the regular season and the beginning of summer all-star competitions.
The Riverdogs are made up of the best players from area teams and compete in tournaments throughout the region during the summer months.
Up to this point in the young season the team has impressed their coaches both in games and during practice.
“They are super strong. I can not remember the last time we had an all-star team that was this strong,” John Zigler, one of the coaches of the Riverdogs, said.
Sam Carter and Mike Thilmony are also coaches for the young all-stars.
The Clark Fork Valley team began competition for the all-star season with a first place finish at the Whitefish Father’s Day Tournament.
This tournament was held from June 13 through June 15 and featured competition from Whitefish, Kalispell, Eureka, Sandpoint, Polson and Bigfork among others.
Coach Zigler noted the team’s pitching had served as a good basis to build their success off of.
“Winning is becoming habitual for the kids,” Zigler said.
In the finals of the Father’s Day tournament the Riverdogs faced off against perennial contenders, the Kalispell Outlaws, for the first place trophy.
The Outlaws grabbed the early lead in the championship game, leading by a score of 4 to 0 after three innings of play.
Kalispell continued to cruise along until the Riverdogs came roaring back to life in the bottom of the fifth.
In the pivotal fifth inning, Clark Fork Valley notched all seven of their runs with their impressive rally.
The team took care of business in the top of the sixth, closing the game out and giving the Riverdogs an impressive and dramatic 7 to 6 victory over the Outlaws.
Nathaniel and Jacob Zigler handled the pitching duties for the Riverdogs in the final.
N. Zigler pitched four innings and struck out six batters, while J. Zigler went two innings and struck out four of the Outlaws hitters.
Roman Sparks and Trae Thilmony lead the offensive charge for Clark Fork Valley.
Sparks collected 2 RBIs in the team’s fifth inning rally, while T. Thilmony drove in a run of his own.
Clark Fork Valley collected five hits on their way to a first place finish at Whitefish.
The Riverdogs carried over their early season success to their second tournament of the year in Columbia Falls.
The Dick Lindsley 10U Invitational Tournament was held June 20-22 and culminated with a second place finish by the Riverdogs.
The team has been able to practice at the new Amundson Sports Complex, a factor appreciated by Coach Zigler.
“It’s great to be able to practice on those fields,” Zigler said.
This week there will be no competition for the Riverdogs, but they will use the time off to gear up for their next tournament in Mineral County.
The Firecracker Classic Tournament attracts teams from across the region and will serve as an excellent opportunity for the Riverdogs to continue their early season success.