>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

ELGIN— Behind a slew of doubles, Elgin swept Imbler in varsity baseball Tuesday, 14-0, 21-6.

Travis Ludwig earned the Game 1 victory, striking out 10 batters while holding Imbler to just one hit.

At the plate, Tanner Hallgarth (2-run homer, double, 4 RBIs), Dalton Moore (2-run homer) and G.D. Clark (two doubles, 3 RBIs) led Elgin. Also, Clint Predmore and Dillon Moore whacked doubles, too.

Coach Greg Luse praised the efforts of Hallgarth, who is a freshman.

“He’s been coming on real strong the last couple of games,” Luse said. “He’s actually been one of the hotter hitters in our lineup.”

Sean Peterson entered the game in the second inning for Imbler on the mound, and pitched well.

“He did a great job, I thought,” Luse said. “The way (Imbler coach Monty McIntosh) talked, it was the first time he’s thrown all year. And he came in and did a great job.”

The Elgin slugfest continued in Game 2 with a 21-6 victory.

Ludwig (home run, 4 RBIs), Dalton Moore (3-for-5, two doubles, 2 RBIs) and Dillon Moore 3-for-5, 2 RBIs) led Elgin. Also, Predmore (2 RBIs), James Hardy (3 RBIs) and Hallgarth (RBI) each had a double, and Jake Kennedy had two.

Blain Baker (2 RBIs) and Will Burgess (RBI) stood out, as well.

Dillon Moore earned the win for Elgin, striking out eight batters through five innings, although he gave up home runs to Imbler’s Nick Thompson and Taylor McIntosh.

“Taylor McIntosh absolutely crushed one,” Luse said. “Oh my gosh, it was a shot to left center.  It was probably one of the furthest ones I’ve seen at our park.

“It went across the street into the field — little vacant lot.  It was a monster shot. It landed between two cars parked in the lot.”

Imbler plays at Union at noon Saturday. Elgin will host Pine Eagle at 10 a.m. Saturday.

 “The kids are really starting to think,” Luse said. “When we talk, they’re saying, ‘one game at a time, one game at at time.’

“They know districts are coming, they want to win the league.

“They have great heads on their shoulders right now.”

Game 1

Imbler           0 0 0 0 0 0    —    0 1 2

Elgin             1 1 2 0 4 6    —    14 10 0

WP — Ludwig. LP — Coughlan.

2B — Hallgarth, Clark (2), Predmore, Di. Moore. HR — Hallgarth, Da. Moore

Game 2

Imbler              3  1 1 1 0    —  6   9  4

Elgin               12 2 0 4 3    —    21 22 1

WP — Di. Moore. LP — Thompson.

2B — Kennedy (2), Da. Moore (2), Predmore, Hardy, Hallgarth. HR — E, Ludwig; I, McIntosh, Thompson.