After winning their opening game of the American Legion ‘A’ state tournament against Emmett on Thursday, the Pocatello Razorbacks knew that only their best baseball would keep them in the winner’s bracket.

    The only problem was the Razorbacks had to face the same Idaho Falls team that eliminated them from last week’s district tournament.

    Head coach Mike Green said after Thursday night’s win that if his team came out and played well, it would have a good chance to win.

    Pocatello did not do so hot Friday night at Halliwell Park as it fell to Idaho Falls 8-1, putting the Razorbacks one loss away from elimination.

    For whatever reason the Razorbacks did not look like the same team that put up 14 runs the night before. Instead of working the count and making the pitcher throw strikes, Pocatello batters swung at a large number of first pitches.

    The quick innings meant Razorbacks starting pitcher Greg Casper had less time to recover between innings, something that appeared to take its toll on him as the night wore on.

    Casper threw close to 150 pitches.

    “We got outplayed,” Green said. “Idaho Falls did a good job and executed in all facets and we didn’t. Give them credit. They are a good team.”

    The umpiring of the game also appeared to be an issue for both clubs and their fans.

    Numerous times the coaches from both sides had words with the home plate umpire about the strike zone, to no avail. Idaho Falls starting pitcher Austin Udy also threw well over 100 pitches.

    The Razorbacks looked flat in pregame warm-ups and the first three I.F. batters did their part to keep that trend going.

    After starting with a triple, Jalen Fuhriman came home to score on a balk by Casper. The umpires called three balks on the two teams during the contest.

    The next two Idaho Falls hitters tripled to give the Bees a quick 2-0 lead.

    “We just mentally were not there, especially after the first inning,” Green said. “We did not compete and that’s too bad because we are better than that.”

    The Razorbacks’ offense was nonexistent the entire game. The team managed just three hits off of Udy with two coming from Chase Teter.

    The Razorbacks had 11 runners reach base in the game, but of those just one came across to score.

    Pocatello stranded runners in scoring position in four different innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the second. The inability to get the big hit turned out to be the difference.

    The loss sets up an elimination game today with the Boise Gems at Halliwell Park.

    If the Razorbacks beat the Gems, the team will have to play again immediately after to keep any hope of reaching the championship game alive. A loss means the season is over.

    “The road is a little bit longer,” Green said. “We just have to wake up tomorrow and be ready to go against the Gems.”

    First pitch between the Razorbacks and Gems is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Halliwell Park.

Idaho Falls 8, Razorbacks 1

Idaho Falls    210    020    3 — 3 13 2

Razorbacks    000    010    0 — 1 3 0

Idaho Falls — Udy and Smith. Razorbacks — Casper and Hall. 2B — Smith (I). 3B — Fuhriman (I), Craig (I), Holcomb (I).