State Babe Ruth: Hi-Line edges Kalispell Lakers

Kiel Krumwiede scored on a RBI single by Jake Page in the bottom of the eighth inning, lifting Hi-Line to a 4-3 victory over the Kalispell Lakers in the championship game of the Montana State 15/13U Babe Ruth baseball tournament at Kidsports Complex on Sunday.

Krumwiede singled, stole second and advanced to third. He crossed home plate on a line-drive to right by Page.

“They were just a real good team and so were we,” Lakers coach Roger Rich said.

“We fell a little short. They will represent Montana real well.”

Hi-Line advances to the Babe Ruth Regional championships in Kelso, Wash., next week.

Hi-Line also beat the Lakers on Friday, 13-7, in semifinal play of the double-elimination event.

“I’m proud of my kids for not giving up,” Rich said.

“It would have been easy to do so (down 3-0 in the finale). Thanks also to my assistant coaches (Rick McCamley and Jay Engle) for all their hard work this year.”

Hi-Line led 3-0 after four innings. The Lakers finally rallied in the top of the seventh to force extra innings.

Kyler Harkins led off with a single, Jordan Engle walked and Sam McCamley doubled in Harkins and Engle.

McCamley scored later in the inning.

“It was a hard-fought battle,” Rich said.

“Zach Sands did a terrific job pitching. He went seven innings for us. Harkins got things rolling for us.”

The Lakers started the day with a 13-6 loser-out victory over the Northern All-Stars.

Walker Malmin, Harkins and McCamley shared pitching duties in that win.

Offensively for the Lakers: Engle was 1 for 4; McCamley 1 for 3 and scored twice; Jeff Bengston 1 for 2, singled, walked twice and scored three times; Justin Rich 3 for 4 with a single, two doubles, three RBIs and scored twice; Brett Thomas 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored three times; Sands 2 for 4; Malmin 1 for 1 and scored a run; and Jacob Link 1 for 1.

Chasen Eaves hit the Lakers lone run home at the state tournament versus Miles City on Friday.

Riley Nahrgang and Andy Bemis were solid in right field for the Lakers the entire tournament.

The Lakers finished 4-2 in state play, winning three straight.

The Lakers posted an 18-5 mark overall, scoring 227 runs and allowing just 78.