EVANSTON — The American Legion Post 41 Evanston Outlaws squared off with the Rock Springs Sandpuppies and lost their first game but won the second of a double header in Evanston on Saturday.

It was a long first game against the Sandpuppies and trouble for the Outlaws began in the fourth inning with Braeden MacDoanld pitching for the Outlaws and walked G. Hamblin and Josh Tepara. Shawn Murphy bunted to third baseman Beau Lloyd. Murphy was out but Gunner Hamblin advanced to third and Tepara advanced to second, then Devon Yerkovich walked, loading the bases. 

Drew Grossnickle doubled on a ground ball to right field and Tepara and Murphy scored. Yerkovich advanced to third base and the score was 2-0 in favor of the Sandpuppies.

Then Wyatt Martinez singled on a line drive to center field and Yerkovich scored. Martinez stole second base and Grossnickle stole home plate putting the Sandpuppies in front 4-0.

The Outlaws couldn’t put their offense together and in the top of the sixth inning the Sandpuppies put together three more runs to extend their lead to 9-0.

In the second game of the double-header, the two teams played well. The Outlaws took the lead in the fourth inning. The game was tied at three when Ryan Fisher singled for the Outlaws and drove in one run. 

Rock Springs took an early lead in the first inning. Holden Cain hit a double to center field and Grossnickle was able to score their first run of the game.

In the bottom of the first inning, Bandon Wicks singled to second base and then Seth Lloyd singled to the shortstop and then advanced to second base on the throw. Wicks advanced to third base. Braedon MacDonald hit a fly ball to center field and after tagging up, Wicks scored, tying up the game at one each.

The Outlaws put together two more runs in the bottom of the second inning Beau Lloyd scored after Ryan. Fisher ground out to the shortstop. Madsen advanced to third base. Madsen scored another run for the Outlaws on an error by the pitcher and the Outlaws were leading 3-1.

Rock Springs came back in the top of the fourth inning when both J.D. Hamby and Cruz Lucero scored, tying the game at three each.

In the bottom of the fourth, Madsen hit a single to left field and then stole second base. Cris Periman hit a sacrifice and Madsen advanced to third base. Fisher singled on a ground ball to center field and Madsen scored with Periman safe at third base.

Hunter Hicks doubled on a fly ball to left field and Periman scored. The Outlaws were not finished, though. Brandon Wicks walked and then Seth Lloyd grounded out to second base but Fisher was able to score a run. Then MacDonald hit a fly out to center field and Hicks scored the Outlaws seventh run of the game. The Outlaws had taken the lead for good and would not turn back.

In the fifth inning the Sandpuppies attempted a comeback. Martinez scored when J. Hamby singled on a ground ball to left field. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Outlaws answered back when Madsen scored after Fisher singled on a fly ball to left field and then Fisher scored after Wicks singled on a fly ball to center field and then Hicks scored, giving the Outlaws a 10-4 lead.

The Outlaws didn’t score again in the game and the Sandpuppies were able to put together three runs in top of the sixth inning but it was too little, too late. The Outlaws defeated Rock Springs 10-8.