IT'S ON TO DISTRICT FOR REDS AFTER TOURNEY TITLE

The Glasgow Reds traveled to Gillette, Wyom., to complete in the 2012 Hargens/Leisy Memorial Tournament – and they returned home with the championship.

Game 1 pitted Denver’s Davey Jones Tigers against the Reds. A dominant pitching performance saved the quiet Reds’ bats as Walt Dalbey threw a complete game shutout.

“I think we just came out a little sluggish after a long day of travel and fortunately Walt was ready to go,” head coach Jack Sprague said.

The victory improved Dalbey’s record to 10-2.

The evening game matched the hometown Gillette Rustlers against the Reds. Andy Gardner followed suit by also throwing a complete game shutout.

“Andy’s pitching performance was outstanding. He looks to be peaking at the perfect time for us,” Sprague said.

On Day 2, Glasgow took on Sturgis, S.D., in what turned out to be the team’s third consecutive shutout of the tournament. Behind the right arm of Tom Leland, the Reds pushed their tourney record to 3-0 and positioned themselves for a shot at the championship game.

On Saturday, the Reds faced off against the Rapid City Bullets. Even though Glasgow surrendered their first run of the tournament, they were able to dodge the Bullets with a 10-1 victory. Grant Legare toed the slab, throwing the third complete game in a row for the staff. “Grant didn’t seem comfortable, but he battled and got us the win. That is pitching ... the ability to complete even when you don’t have your best stuff,” Sprague said.

The Sunday championship proved to be a rematch between Glasgow and Rapid City.

The Bullets came out firing, scoring 4 runs in the top of the first inning. Glasgow regrouped behind the relief efforts of Dalbey, who proceeded to keep the Bullets scoreless for the duration of the game.

The Reds would run away with the victory – no small part due to a 13-run single inning outburst that the Bullets simply could not recover from.

“I am happy with the way the team is playing and it was perfect experience to get us going in the right direction for this weekend’s District Tourney,” Sprague said. “We set our pitching rotation for the upcoming challenge we face. Now all we can do is go out and play.

“Facing Sidney in the first round is a tough draw, considering the way they have come on at the end of the season, but if it was supposed to be easy everyone would be at state.”