Riverdogs take first victory

The Clark Fork Valley Riverdogs American Legion youth baseball team chalked up its first victories at its only home game Saturday at Amundson Sports Complex against the Libby Loggers. 

"They played well in all facets of the game today," said Jon Zigler, head coach for the Riverdogs. The Riverdogs nabbed a 14-8 victory in game one and an 8-2 triumph in the second game.

Zigler specifically praised his boys on their pitching and defense. "We hit the ball well with men on base and our running game was stellar," added Zigler. He said that not walking players and timely hitting when players were in scoring position were big reasons for their wins. Jack Taylor and Casey Johnston each had three RBIs in the first game. Johnston had the most hits in game one with four, followed by Nate Zigler, the coach's son and the team's only switch-hitter, who had three hits and two RBIs. 

"Our biggest strength is our catching game. Our duo of Orion 'Bean' Plakke and Jack Taylor is exciting. I would put them up against any American Legion duo in Montana American Legion Baseball," the coach said.

Prior to last weekend, the Riverdogs had lost all 12 of its games and it didn't look good in the first inning of Saturday's game when the Loggers immediately chalked up three runs. Their lead didn't last long. When the Riverdogs got to the plate, they took lead 6-3, then shut the Loggers down three up, three down in the second. By the end of the third, the Riverdogs had extended their lead 8-3. The Loggers came within two runs in the top  fourth, but by the bottom of the sixth, Clark Fork had a 14-8 lead. The Riverdogs locked it in when Trevor Harris caught a short fly ball near first base to end the competition. Zigler said his players have improved every time they've played. "We will continue to work on all facets of our game. We have a couple guys banged up and our goal is to get healthy," he added.

The Legion teams go only seven innings during double-headers and nine in single games, said Zigler. The Riverdogs had been scheduled to play the Bonner Eagles, but the team had been exposed to COVID-19. Zigler said they plan to schedule a home game against the Eagles in June. This is the first time in more than 20 years that there's been an American Legion team in Sanders County. Post 129 in Paradise sponsors the Riverdogs. Sam Carter of Plains and Superior resident Shawn Plakke, father of Orion, are the Riverdogs' assistant coaches. The team has players from Trout Creek, Plains, Thompson Falls, Hot Springs, and Superior. 

The team held a "Senior Day" recognition for four of the Riverdog players between the two games, which included highlighting this year's high school seniors Casey Johnston and Nate Zigler, and last year's seniors Shane Ceely and Trevor Harris. 

Game two started out in Libby's favor, which drew first blood with a long fly ball to left field in the second inning. It wasn't until the bottom of the third that the Riverdogs took a 2-1 lead. With the bases loaded in the fourth, Riverdog Jody Page bunted in a run, followed immediately by a hit from teammate Will Tatum. The Loggers scored one run in the fifth and were close to narrowing the gap with bases loaded and only one out, but the Riverdogs stopped the show with a forced out at home and a quick throw back to first for a double play and an end to the threat. The Riverdogs scored two runs in the fifth and sixth to give them an 8-2 lead. The Loggers started the top of the seventh with a double, but Nate Zigler came back with two strikeouts and a tagged out when the Logger tried to steal third, ending the game with the Riverdogs' second victory of the season.

Coach Zigler also credited his pitching staff with Saturday's two triumphs. Garth Parker, one of two lefties, took over on the mound part way through the first inning. Parker struck out the first seven batters he faced and chalked up a dozen strikeouts during his 92 pitches in the first game. Harris, also a left hand pitcher, sent 58 hurlers across the plate and totaled seven strikeouts in game two, followed by Zigler with four in the same game. Trenis McDonald, who celebrated his seventeenth birthday on Saturday, had two strikeouts in game one and one strikeout in the first game.   

"The boys really wanted to defend their home field," said Zigler, who's been a youth baseball coach for 10 years. "The coaches didn't have to do anything to pump them up. They were convinced that they were not going to lose today," he said. Zigler said they've played some of the best teams in western Montana and had some very close games. "I've coached youth baseball for many years and it's easy to coach a team that's winning. Coaching a new Legion team facing adversity has been my biggest coaching challenge, but I'm very impressed how these boys have responded," said Zigler. "They are more talented than they know and that really is exciting for a coach. Our program is on the rise and the future of American Legion Baseball in our valley is very promising." 

The Clark Fork Riverdogs will compete in a tournament at Libby this weekend.