Mavericks dust Scarlets 10-0, win 2nd straight title

MEDICINE HAT, Alberta — Schuyler Fairchild threw a six-inning shutout, Stellan Ridley homered and drove in five runs and the Missoula Mavericks thumped the Billings Scarlets 10-0 Sunday to win their second straight American Legion state championship. 

The Mavericks (53-24) strung together three singles and a sacrifice fly to go up 3-0 in the first inning and never looked back. Ridley added a two-run home run in the third inning for a 5-0 lead, and four runs in the fourth inning — Ridley hit an RBI single and Bryce Ostrom drove in two with a base hit — drove Scarlets’ starter Zach McDonald from the mound and put the game out of reach. 

Carter Taylor’s RBI single in the sixth made it 10-0 and ended the game under the mercy rule. 

Fairchild needed 69 pitches to get through six innings on the hill. He allowed three hits and walk, striking out five. Oliver Prill, Bridger Leland and Tayshawn Johnson had the hits for the Scarlets (34-15). 

Easton Reimers had three hits for the Mavericks. Kaden Thennis also had three hits, including a double, and scored three runs for Missoula. Daniel Shepard of 406mtsports.com noted that Thennis’ brother Gavin played on the 2021 state champion Helena Senators. 

The Mavericks advanced to the Northwest AA Regional at Dehler Park in Billings Aug. 6-10. The Billings Royals are host team and will also compete.  

Last year the Billings Scarlets won the Northwest Regional as host team, advancing to the Legion World Series.