Bigfork blasts Troy to open new home field

BIGFORK — What better way to break in your new home than a walk-off hit.

That’s exactly what Holland Jantzen and the Bigfork Vikings did in a 13-3 victory over Troy Thursday at Flathead Beacon Field. 

Jantzen drove in Ryder Hamilton on a grounder to shortstop to secure the run rule victory in six innings. Hamilton hit an RBI triple just before Jantzen called game. 

Grady Campbell also tripled for the Vikings (5-3). Eight different Bigfork batters picked up a hit. 

Campbell started on the mound, going 3 2-3 innings, allowing two runs on no hits. He struck out six. 

Hayden Mayer threw 2 1-3 in relief, allowing one run on three hits and fanning four. 

Cooper Carsley, Gunner Fisher and Tommy Guinard drove in a run apiece for Troy (0-4). 

Eureka 21, Plains-Hot Springs 0 

PLAINS — Rowan Burow threw three no-hit innings and drove in a pair of runs at the plate as Eureka cruised by Plains-Hot Springs. 

Burow’s first inning single drove in E McKim to give the Lions () a 3-0 lead. He added another RBI single in the second and a double in the third. On the mound Burow struck out six batters. 

McKim and Rogan Lytle joined Burow with extra-base hits during the game. 

The game ended after three innings due to the run rule. 

Missoula Paddleheads Showcase 

Ronan 6, Missoula Hellgate 6 

MISSOULA — Everett Lozeau doubled twice for Ronan, but a seventh inning sacrifice fly from Hellgate sealed a 6-6 tie between the Chiefs and Knights. 

Lozeau drove in two runs for Ronan, including a second inning hit that scored Treysin Sinclair and sparked the Chiefs to a three-run frame and a 4-3 lead. 

Liam Willis put Ronan (4-3-1) ahead 6-4 in the fifth inning, scoring on a passes ball.  

A bases loaded walk to Patrick Marsolek in the sixth and a Lincoln Chamberlain fly to center secured the draw for Hellgate (0-6-1) as no extra innings were played during the showcase. 

Polson 8, Florence 2 

Landon Shoemake drove in a pair on a single to centerfield in the second inning and sparked Polson to an 8-2 victory over Florence in a matchup of Montana’s only state baseball champions at the Paddleheads Showcase. 

Wyatt Wadsworth followed Shoemake’s single with an RBI double for the Pirates — 2023’s inaugural champions — during a 3-run third inning. Cole Wadsworth also doubled. 

The Pirates (4-1) added five runs over the final two innings to pull away for the win. 

Chase Wagner hit a solo homer for the Falcons (4-4), the defending state champions. 

Hamilton 8, Columbia Falls 2 

Cash Lawrence hit a three-run double and Hamilton used a big sixth inning to pull away from Columbia Falls, handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season at the Paddleheads Showcase. 

Lawrence's double came during the Broncs () five-run sixth and grew the lead to 7-2. 

Columbia Falls (5-1) took the lead in the second with an RBI groundout from Wyatt Dodson. 

The Wildcats found their only other run in the third inning on a double from Nico Young that scored Treysen Murphy. 

Wednesday 

Eureka 23, Browning 2 

EUREKA — Rogan Lytle drove in two runs on a 3-for-3 outing as Eureka downed Browning 23-2. 

Lytle hit a pair of singles in the second inning, the first driving in Colter White in the second inning to put Eureka up 16-2, the second brought home Tyce Van Orden. He was also hit by a pitch in the first inning and crossed the plate three times. 

Van Orden threw three innings for the Lions, allowing one hit and two runs. He fanned five. 

Browning tallied a run in each of the first two innings. Jaylyn Aimsback drove in Jorian Snow in the first inning on a fielder's choice. Snow drove in Todd Morgan in the second inning after drawing a walk. 

The game ended after three innings due to the run rule.