Big Sky eliminates Eureka from State
EUREKA — After both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, the Big Sky Eagles plated nine runs in the top of the fourth and four more in the sixth to knock the Eureka Lions out of the State Tournament with a 13-2 victory Monday night.
The Eagles loaded the bases in that fourth inning and scored the first two runs of the game on Mason Fulford’s 2-run single. Three more singles and a fielder’s choice plated four runs before Henry Wilson capped off the inning with a 2-run home run over the left field wall.
Wilson also earned the win on the bump for the Eagles (13-5), allowing two hits, four walks, no runs and striking out five across four innings. Maden Hensel and Isaac Thorne pitched the final two frames, giving up no hits, and one earned run.
Rowan Burow started for the Lions (12-6), allowing seven hits, nine earned runs and striking out four. Tyce Van Orden came in relief and allowed four earned runs with three walks, striking out three across the final 2 1-3 innings. Tristan Libby and Burow collected the only base hits for the Lions.
Saturday
Hamilton 2, Bigfork 1 (11)
HAMILTON — Both teams were held scoreless over the final seven innings of the game before Jackson Lubke hit the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Hamilton Broncs to the State Tournament with a 2-1 win over the Bigfork Vikings in the final play-in game on Saturday.
Lubke also dazzled on the mound, pitching eight innings allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out a whopping 14 batters. Brady Demoss led Hamilton (15-2) with two hits and a run scored. Atticus Southwell drove in the other run with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1 in the third inning.
Bigfork (12-5) was first on the board when Mason Lewis connected on an RBI single scoring Grady Campbell. That was the only run plated for the Vikings as they missed a crucial opportunity in the top of the 11th inning when Liam Benson doubled before the next three batters were retired in order.
The Broncs capitalized in their half of the inning, with a single and an error Jude Widmer on third and Lubke drove in him. Widmer pitched the final three frames, allowing two hits, one walk and struck out three.
Columbia Falls made the State Tournament as the North Conference Champs and finished with a 17-1 record, currently riding a 12-game winning streak.
State Baseball
March 22-24, Vester Wilson Field, Hamilton
Thursday
Game 1: Columbia Falls (17-1) vs. Billings Central (13-4), 10 a.m.
Game 2: Billings West (17-1) vs. Frenchtown (17-4), 12:30 p.m.
Game 3: Billings Skyview (15-3) vs. Hamilton (15-2), 4 p.m.
Game 4: Missoula Big Sky (13-5) vs. Belgrade (16-2), 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 5: Loser 1 vs. Loser 2, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Loser 3 vs. Loser 4, 12:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winner 1 vs. Winner 2, 4 p.m., semifinal
Game 8: Winner 3 vs. Winner 4, 6:30 p.m., semifinal
Saturday
Game 9: Loser 7 vs. Winner 6, 9 a.m.
Game 10: Loser 8 vs. Winner 5, 11:30 a.m.
Game 11: Winner 9 vs. Winner 10, third
Game 12: Winner 7 vs. Winner 8, championship