LEWISTOWN — The first round of the State A legion baseball tournament started Thursday morning at Ryan Sparks Field in Lewistown.
BELGRADE BANDITS 10, BITTERROOT BUCS 0 (5 INNINGS)
Cooper VanLuchene pitched five scoreless innings against the Bucs, and Seth Green added five RBI at the plate to lead the Bandits over the Bucs in the opening round of the State A tournament,
VanLuchene allowed just two hits, striking out seven in the outing.
Brodie Hinsdale started the game for Bitterroot. He lasted three innings, allowing six hits and four runs while striking out two and walking one. Troy Larson and Zale Bender entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning and two-thirds of an inning, respectively.
The Bandits opened the scoring in the first with three runs, added another in the second before scattering six runs across the fourth and fifth innings.
Belgrade, the South District champions, advance to face the Billings Blue Jays in the winners bracket.
BILLINGS BLUE JAYS 9, HAVRE NORTHSTARS 2
The East District champion Billings Blue Jays defeated the Havre Northstars 9-2 on Thursday thanks to five runs in the first inning. Jessen West, Hunter Eliason, Eli Nickisch, and Austin Schaaf all drove in runs in the frame.
Gunner Thompson toed the rubber for the Blue Jays. He lasted seven innings, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out three.
Tyrel Kjersem led things off on the pitcher's mound for Havre. He allowed four hits and nine runs over 2 2/3 innings. Kale Reno threw 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.
The Blue Jays will advance to face Belgrade at 4 p.m., while the Northstars take on Bitterroot in loser-out action.
GLACIER TWINS 10, GALLATIN VALLEY OUTLAWS 9
The Glacier Twins walked off in the bottom of the seventh to top Gallatin Valley 10-9.
Glacier scored eight runs in the second inning to jump out to a commanding lead. But the Outlaws clawed back with four runs in the fourth and five runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at 9-apiece.
Michael Glass scored the winning run after an error from the Outlaws at second base.
Zach Veneman led things off on the hill for Glacier. He went three innings, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out four and walking one.
Bo Hays led things off on the mound for the Outlaws. He went 1 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one.
LEWISTOWN REDBIRDS 4, MILES CITY MAVERICKS 2
The North District champion Lewistown Redbirds defeated the Miles City Mavericks 4-2 on Thursday in the first round of the State A tournament.
The game was tied at two, with Lewistown batting in the bottom of the fifth, when Isaiah Marquart singled on a 3-1 count, scoring two runs.
Kyle Lee got the start for the Redbirds. He allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out three.
Jess Bellows started the game for Miles City. He allowed eight hits and four runs over five innings, striking out four. Brennan Hager threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen
The Redbirds collected nine hits on the day. Taylor Smith and Kendall Barta all managed multiple hits for Lewistown. The Redbirds will face the Glacier Twins Friday at 7 p.m., while the Mavericks will take on Gallatin Valley in loser-out action.
For updated scores and pairings from the State A tournament, please click here.
