AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Sr. wins pair of games in Idaho

EAGLE, Idaho — Wilder Senior got outstanding pitching performances from Beckett Jarnagin, Landon Seibel and Brian Guttormsen in winning a pair of games this weekend at a tournament outside of Boise, Idaho.

Wilder Senior went 2-4 overall. They lost three games to an excellent team from Idaho Falls, Idaho, which is the defending 2021 American Legion World Series champion.

Wilder won its first game 7-3 over the Boise Hawks behind five innings from Seibel. He allowed six hits and two runs while walking three and striking out one.

“He competed in the zone,” said coach Zac Moore. Guttormsen came in to pitch in relief, going two innings and allowing one hit and one run while striking out two.

At the plate, Wilder Sr. had nine hits. Cole Johnson had a big day, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Logan Olson was 2-for-4 while Seibel was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Elijah Flodstrom was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

“These were all timely hits. All two-out hits. We were able to move runners along,” Moore said.

In a 4-3 win, also over the Boise Hawks, Jarnagin pitched five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. He walked one and struck out two. Guttormsen again pitched in relief, going two innings and allowing one hit and two walks, while striking out two.

“He’s been really good for us all year out of the bullpen,” Moore said. Seibel had another big game, going 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Ezra Townsend was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

Wilder Senior lost to Idaho Falls 11-0 and 11-2.

“In these games, we didn’t compete in the zone or play well defensively,” Moore said.

However, Wilder bounced back against the same powerhouse team, nearly pulling out a 9-7 win behind Peyton Cagey.

“Cagey threw really well against a really good hitting team,” Moore said. “I am really proud of how we responded.”

Cagey went five innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs, while walking three and striking out three. “He gave us a chance to win,” Moore said. Townsend pitched an inning of relief, allowing one hit and one earned run.

Wilder Sr. has a very busy weekend at Civic Field with a return to American Legion league play. Wilder plays six games against league opponents Lakeside Recovery and Bellingham Post No. 7 Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the games set at Civic Field. Moore said it’s important for Wilder to win some of these games to have a chance to make the state American Legion tournament.

Wilder Junior

BLAINE — Wilder Junior had opportunities to win a couple of games Sunday against Blaine, but the Borderites were able to pull one game out with a run in the eighth inning and another with six runs in the sixth.

Wilder Jr. lost by the scores of 7-6 and 11-6.

In the 7-6 loss, the team pitched well behind Ethan Staples, Alex Angevine and Luke Flodstrom, but was hurt by six errors. The trio allowed just three earned runs and seven hits.

At the plate, Blake Sohlberg went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, a stolen base, an RBI and a walk. Flodstrom was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs while Angevine was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Jordan Shumway hit a double.

In the second game, Kaleb Mullen was 2-for-3 with a double, two stolen bases a run scored and an RBI, while Angevine hit a triple, walked and scored two runs. Cole Beeman was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Wilder Jr. plays in the district AA championship tournament Friday and Saturday.