JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — If this Post 43 Giants team isn’t road-weary yet, they soon will be with a 3-game set in Evanston looming Tuesday and Wednesday. This, after the team has already travelled to Casper and most recently Cody for a 4-game tournament.
Colorado Springs 8, Jackson 7
This Giants team has never quit on themselves or on head coach Jason Huggins. Evidence Friday’s game in Cody against Colorado Springs.
Both teams put up a pair of runs in the 2nd inning, but Colorado Springs tacked on 3 more in the 3rd, and another pair in the 5th. Jackson was down 5 runs when they mounted a big rally comeback in the top of the 6th inning.
Parker Bleggi coaxed a lead-off walk. Ayden Gralund followed with a laser to right for a single. Steven Ashurts then bounced to second but an error put him on and scored Bleggi. Owen Khanna then singled to load the bases.
Fisher’s bouncer to short resulted in a 2-run error and suddenly the Giants were within 2 with Bridger Hammond at the plate. Hammond laid down a sacrifice bunt in an attempt to move runners into scoring position but Colorado Springs made the out at 3rd, getting Khanna.
Lukas Gralund then singled home a run, followed by an RBI double from Austin VanSkike. Game tied.
But a fielding error opened the door a crack for Colorado as they scored 1 in the bottom of the 6th to take an 8-7 lead. Jackson went 1-2-3 in the top of the 7th, and that was all she wrote for Friday’s game.
Like virtually everyone on the staff this season, Jackson starter Owen Khanna struggled with command, walking 6 in 2 innings of work. He surrendered just one hit and one earned run as the Giants played poorly in the field behind him.
Matt Fisher worked an admirable 4 innings, scattering 6 hits. Only 1 of the runs given up by both pitchers was earned.
The Giants spread the offense around. Seven different Jackson batters had hits.
Cody 9, Jackson 0
Losses like Friday’s heartbreaker tend to take a lot out of a ballclub. Jackson came out flat against a very good Cody team and never got the sticks going.
Cubs’ starter Devyn Engdahl was virtually unhittable, striking out 9, walking none, and allowing just one basehit to Ayden Gralund. Parker Bleggi took the loss for the Giants.
Gallatin Valley 11, Jackson 3
Jackson held their own with the Outlaws for most of the game Saturday afternoon. A 1-1 tie held up until the 4th inning, before Gallatin Valley pulled away with 4 in the 4th and another 4 in the 5th inning.
Mason Wright started the game for the Giants, and he looked good in his first action this season. Wright allowed just 1 run in 2 innings of work. He did not give up a hit but walked 3.
Bridger Hammond (0-5) was knocked around pretty good in his 3 1/3 innings on the mound. He took the loss.
Cody 12, Jackson 2
Sunday’s rematch with the Cubs began a little better for Jackson. Once sidearmer Luke Moore (0-2) settled down after giving up 4 in the opening frame, the Giants got to work, offensively, to try and get back into it.
A leadoff double by Bridger Hammond in the 3rd was followed by an RBI single from Owen Khanna to give Jackson its first run.
The Giants added another in the 4th when the speedy Matt Fisher singled to center, reached second on a fielder’s choice, and then scored after a throwing error by Cubs 3rd baseman Jackson Schroeder. Suddenly, the Cody lead was cut in half.
But the Cubs found another gear, pulling away for a 12-2 win.
Ayden Gralund continued his torrid pace, picking up 2 hits in 3 plate appearances. Gralund leads all Giants hitters with a .397 average on the season.
Next up
The Giants are now 8-36 on the year. They will board the all-too familiar shuttle for Evanston to take on the Outlaws (27-18). Evanston should be well rested after sweeping Rock Springs in a doubleheader back on July 7. Evanston beat Jackson in two previous meetings 3-0 and 20-3.
Post 43’s next homestand comes Friday, July 16 with a doubleheader against Rock Springs. Before that contest, a ceremony will be held to officially commemorate three new Jackson inductees into the Wyoming American Legion Hall of Fame. Coach Jason Huggins, former player Tim Shibuya, and public address announcer Michelle Doyle will be honored for their excellence and commitment to Legion baseball.
Both games, beginning at 5pm, will be carried live on KZ95 radio.
