Royals sweep doubleheader from Elks

By Lethbridge Herald on July 8, 2025.

Lethbridge Elks Ty Mabin attempts to tag out Anthony Williams of the Billings Royals during American Legion 'AA' baseball action on Tuesday at Spitz Stadium.

The Lethbridge Elks clawed back to tie the game late  but fell in extra innings to the Billings Royals 10-8 in the first game of the American Legion ‘AA’  baseball doubleheader on Tuesday evening  at Spitz Stadium.

The Royals scored two runs on passed balls in the eighth inning to snag the win.

“Good to see that (we) made  a little bit of a comeback,” said Scott Oikawa, Elks head coach.

“But the bottom line (is) that’s a conference loss and we had some opportunities and just didn’t take advantage of them.”

Oikawa thought there wasn’t strong defence put forth by the Elks in the game.

“Which hurt us in the end, and we didn’t have any clutch hitting,” said Oikawa.

The Elks found themselves down 8-1 going into their half of the sixth inning before mounting a comeback to tie the game at eight to force an extra inning after a normal seven inning game  length.

The comeback was sparked by runs coming across the plate on a triple, two walks, a single and a double.

Elks starting pitcher Jarret McNeill pitched four innings where he gave up four runs on six hits, struck out two batters and walked two batters.

“It’s disappointing, we needed the win there, and I’m proud of the team (for) coming back there,”  said McNeill.

Kade Pallett took the loss for the Elks after pitching 1 2/3 innings where he gave up two runs on two hits and struck out three Royals.

Ty Mabin and Midnite Toker each hit in two runs for the Elks.

The Elks had 12 hits in the game.

The Royals took the second game 20-6.

 Both teams will play again today at 1 p.m. at Spitz Stadium

The Elks were coming off a weekend where they made it to the final of the Twin Falls tournament but fell to the Idaho Falls Bandits 11-1.