TORRINGTON – The Torrington Tigers Legion ‘A’ team opened the Dean Bullock Tournament in Torrington with a bang on June 6 and 7, soundly defeating the Lockwood Razorbacks, 16-1, on Thursday followed by an 11-0 shutout victory against the Rocky Mountain Lobos on Friday.

On Friday evening, Torrington squared off against the Peltz Company Spartans from Alliance, Nebraska. The game reached a 2-2 stalemate in the fourth inning before Alliance cruised past Torrington with seven runs in the fifth inning and eight in the seventh to secure the win, 17-2.

Torrington’s overall 2-1 record at the tournament advanced the Tigers to the championship game on Saturday against Alliance. While the rematch between Torrington and Alliance was closer than Friday’s game, the Tigers ultimately came up short, 9-5.

Razorbacks

Torrington began the tournament with a game against the Lockwood Razorbacks from Billings, Montana. 

Leaving it all on the field, the Tigers captured their 16-1 win in just three innings. Torrington scored four runs in the bottom of the second. Ayden Desmond doubled for two RBI while Mac Hibben and Grady Shields both singled for one run.

The Tigers surged ahead with nine runs in the bottom of the third inning. Hibben singled for two RBI and Drew Kramer and Landre Greiman both singled. Shields and Garrett Hager each collected a welk, resulting in one run apiece. The ball struck Desmond while batting, allowing Torrington to drive in its ninth run.

During the game, the Tigers tallied 12 hits, led by Greiman with three. Kramer posted two hits while Hibben and Desmond each drove in three runs.

Desmond started as pitcher for the Tigers, striking out two.

Rocky Mountain Lobos

The second game pitted Torrington against the Rocky Mountain Lobos from Colorado. 

An eight-run second inning by the Tigers placed Torrington ahead, 10-0. Shields singled for two RBI while a single from Caleb Kelly drove in one run. Greiman and Hager both drew walks, resulting in two additional runs.

Overall, Hibben led the Tigers in batting against Rocky Mountain with two hits for three RBI. Shields had one hit and three RBI.

Demonstrating patience at bat, Torrington picked up seven walks, including two apiece by Ryan Moorehouse, Greiman and Hager.

Hibben pitched for five innings, striking out eight.

Championship game

Advancing to the title game, Torrington found itself battling the Peltz Company Spartans from Alliance for a second time.

The Tigers established an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning following a double by Hibben for two RBI. Torrington maintained the lead with two more runs in the bottom of the third, including a single by Xavier Sanchez.

Alliance responded with six runs in the sixth inning to bridge the gap and take the lead.

Hibben and Moorehouse both tallied two hits against Alliance in the championship game.

On the mound, Greiman started as pitcher for the Tigers, striking out eight. Desmond played relief and struck out two.