POWELL  – The Torrington Tigers ‘A’ Legion baseball team advanced to the third game of the division state tournament in Powell from July 27-31 following a 12-11 victory against Gillette in the consolation bracket.

The rollercoaster ride for the Tigers began on Saturday with a game against the Lovell Mustangs. Lovell took control of the scoreboard with four runs in the top of the third inning and five in the fifth to post the win, 13-3.

Torrington rallied on the second day in a neck-and-neck dogfight against the Gillette Rustlers. The Tigers led for most of the game before Gillette tied the match, 11-11, in the bottom of the sixth.

A single decisive run scored by Torrington in the top of the seventh inning while a solid Tigers defense shut out Gillette in the bottom resulted in victory for Torrington.

Progressing to game No. 3, Torrington squared off against the Casper Drillers. A scoreless stalemate through the second inning ended when Casper pulled ahead, 7-3, in the third inning to ultimately prevail, 10-5.

Game 1 – Lovell

A close first inning between the Tigers and Mustangs ended with Lovell up by a single run, 3-2. In the bottom of the first inning, Mac Hibben doubled for two RBI.

A determined Torrington defense shut out Lovell in the top of the second inning. Drew Kramer and Caleb Kelly both fielded a fly ball while Lovell ground out two third baseman Garrett Hager.

The Mustangs widened their lead, 7-2, with four runs in the top of the third inning while the Tigers only managed one run in the bottom of the third.

Torrington’s fielders once again prevented Lovell from scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Ayden Desmond fielded a fly ball in left field. Lovell then hit a fly ball to pitcher Grady Shields. Kelly tagged a runner at first base for the third out.

Lovell outscored Torrington, 5-0, in the fifth inning to seal its win.

The Tigers tallied six hits against Lovell. Kramer and Hibben both collected two hits while Desmond and Bryce Hager posted one apiece.

On the mound, Desmond started as pitcher for Torrington and Shields and Kelly played relief. Shields struck out four.

Game 2 – Gillette

The game between Torrington and Gillette came down to the wire. The Rustlers found themselves ahead, 3-1, at the end of the first inning.

Both teams pulled out all the stops in the second inning with four runs apiece. Hibben set the pace for the Tigers with a single for two RBI. Landre Greiman singled for one RBI while Colby Sandusky scored on a wild pitch.

Torrington captured the lead, 9-7, with a four-run streak in the top of the third inning. Kelly scored on a wild pitch and Desmond singled for two RBI. Hibben hit a sacrifice fly, driving in Greiman.

The Tigers shut out Gillette in the bottom of the third inning when Hibben struck out three back-to-back runners.

Each opponent tallied one run in the fourth inning, though Torrington remained ahead, 10-8. In the top of the fourth, Greiman ground into a fielder’s choice to drive in Ryan Moorehouse.

Torrington outscored Gillette, 1-0, in the fifth inning to remain up, 11-8. A single by Moorehouse drove in Bryce Hager home the top of the inning. 

A determined Tigers defense prevented Gillette from scoring in the bottom of the fifth. Garrett Hager fielded a grounder at third base and passed the ball to Kelly at first two times while Hibben struck out one.

Gillette tied the game, 11-11, with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Digging deep, Torrington responded with a single decisive run in the top of the seventh when Kelly singled for one RBI.

The Tigers once again shut out Gillette in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the win. Garrett Hager fielded a bunt at third base and passed the ball to Kelly. Kelly completed the double play with a pass to Greiman at shortstop. Bryce Hager, pitching relief, struck out one.

Overall, Torrington posted 12 hits against Gillette. Hibben set the pace for the Tigers with three hits for three RBI. Desmond collected two hits for two RBI. Moorehouse also tallied two hits with one each by Greiman, Bryce Hager, Shields, Kelly and Sandusky.

Hibben opened as pitcher, striking out seven. Bryce Hager played relief, striking out three.

Game 3 – Casper

A scoreless deadlock between Torrington and Casper remained through the second inning. Casper pulled into the lead, 7-3, following seven runs by the Drillers in the third inning.

Casper widened its advantage with one run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings.

The Tigers recorded 10 hits against Casper, led by Shields with three. Hibben collected two hits with one each by Greiman, Desmond, Bryce Hager, Moorehouse and Kelly.

Greiman stepped up to the mound to start for Torrington, striking out three. Sandusky played relief, striking out one.