(Editor's note: This story will be updated)
BILLINGS - In the midst of a one-run game, a vicious storm halted Thursday's State AA Tournament game between Helena and Kalispell, then forced completion at another Billings complex.
High winds and heavy rain combined to knock down power lines and forced several outages around Billings. The storm hit Dehler Park around 5:15 p.m.
Moments earlier, Helena had taken a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth when play was suspended with one out due to nearby lightning. The Senators eventually won the contest 8-2.
The Billings Royals took the field for the nightcap against top-seeded Bozeman.
Earlier Thursday, second-inning singles by Hunter Huck, Derick Spring and Nate Fowler led Great Falls past Missoula 4-1 in an elimination game.
Spring worked five and two-thirds innings for the Chargers, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts.
Zach Hangas allowed six hits and four runs over three innings for Missoula, which closes the shortened season 9-17.
Great Falls will play Thursday night's loser between Bozeman and the Royals in a 1 p.m. loser-out game on Friday. The Billings Scarlets will follow in another loser-out against Helena or Kalispell.
Friday's undefeated semifinal is set for 7 p.m. at Dehler Park.
Updated State AA scores and pairings can be seen here.
