While the Vauxhall Spurs baseball looked a little rough around the edges at a tournament in Kalispell, according to the man at the helm, it showed the potential smooth sailing the team could have when it travels the waters to greater consistency.
The Spurs made the tournament final before falling to Mission Valley 10-5 to finish in second place.
“They pitched us pretty well, they thumped us,” said Ken Fuglerud, head coach of the Vauxhall Spurs on a Mission Valley team that trotted out an array of off-speed pitchers to the mound to keep the Spurs attack off balance. “We were actually winning 5-3 after four-and-a-half innings and then we walked a few guys, combined with a couple of errors.”
Fuglerud noted Mission Valley is a bench mark team if the Spurs make it past districts and get to the State tournament, with Mission Valley’s veteran-laden lineup.
The Spurs were able to more than compete with the squad, despite getting in its own way sometimes.
“When you take into account the free passes by pitchers, six errors, five backwards strikeouts for us (called third strikes looking) and coming out of the first inning with the bases loaded and no outs and we didn’t score a run, we really didn’t play that strong of a game and we were still really competitive,” said Fuglerud.
Spurs opened its tournament run with an 11-5 victory over host Kalispell. The Spurs continued on to beat Spokane Prairie Pride 7-6 and then Mead High school, an “AA” team out of Spokane, 6-5, before competing in the final.
“It was a really strong sign for us (mentally). Even the Kalispell game at 11-5, we scored eight in the eighth inning so we went to extras,” said Fuglerud. “In the third game we were down 5-3 in the bottom of seven with two out and we ended up getting a walk, a hit, a passed ball, and then a double and a single to come back in that game too. We told them after the four games we didn’t play that good this weekend and we are still 3-1 against some quality clubs. ”
Earlier last Wednesday the Spurs split a doubleheader with the Tri-County Cardinals, and the first game showcased a stellar performance by staff ace Ryan Colby, with a one hitter in a 10-0 victory in five innings, before Vauxhall dropped the second game 15-12.
“The one hit was a bunt and the last two games Ryan has given up one hit over 12 innings, throwing an earlier no hitter in Medicine Hat — he’s been dominant lately,” said Fuglerud. “Second game we got hit around a bit, made some errors and didn’t swing the bat well, but we were still right there in the game.”
Winning some games and being close in many others while not playing its best ball, Fuglerud noted the team is building towards districts for a team that is showing it is more than capable of making some noise if it fires on all cylinders.
“We are happy with the boys. We keep telling them to keep improving every day and when we get to districts that’s when we really got to play,” said Fuglerud.
Spurs have a busy week of ball, which started with the Great Falls Stallions at home Tuesday, with results unavailable at press time.
The team was in Havre yesterday to battle the North Stars, with the Spurs also being on the road Friday in Conrad for a battle with the Cardinals.
Spurs return home on the weekend Saturday with a doubleheader against the North Stars starting at 3 p.m. at Jets Stadium. The team also battles Great Falls Electrics at home on Sunday in a doubleheader at 1 p.m.