Bigfork Baseball knocks off Whitefish

Bigfork baseball is hitting its stride at the right time.

The Vikings made a major statement last week, handing Whitefish its first loss of the season with a 4-3 victory on the road Tuesday before returning home Thursday to defeat Ronan 11-5 for their third straight win. Bigfork improved to 7-3 on the year with the pair of victories, continuing their climb in the standings.

Against Whitefish, Bigfork used a three-run fifth inning, allowing the Vikings to edge the previously undefeated Bulldogs. Mason Lewis turned in a gutsy complete-game performance on the mound, scattering eight hits over seven innings while allowing just two earned runs.

After falling behind 3-1 through four innings, Bigfork responded in the top of the fifth with a three-run rally that would prove to be the difference. Liam Benson and Sam Plummer each drove in runs in the contest.

Despite being out-hit 8-5, Bigfork capitalized on Whitefish's defensive miscues and aggressive baserunning to secure the win.

Plummer led the offense with a 2-for-4 effort. 

The momentum carried over into Thursday’s home game against Ronan, where the Vikings offense came alive.

Bigfork wasted no time jumping on the Chiefs, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second to build an early lead. After Ronan cut the deficit to 5-3, Bigfork answered with a two-run fifth and a four-run sixth to put the game out of reach.

Hayden Mayer and Ryder Rodriguez paced the Vikings' offense, each recording two hits. Mayer drove in two runs, while Grady Campbell added two RBIs with a double. Benson, Holland Jantzen, and Plummer also contributed to the scoring, keeping the pressure on Ronan’s pitching staff throughout the game.

On the mound, Mayer started and threw three innings, allowing just one hit and no earned runs while striking out four. Campbell came on in relief, working the final four innings and limiting Ronan to one hit while fanning four batters.

Bigfork finished with seven hits overall and took advantage of six Ronan errors.

Thursday, April 24

At Bigfork

BIGFORK 11, RONAN 5

Ronan - 0120002 - 5 - 2 - 6

Bigfork - 320024x - 11 - 7 - 3

BIGFORK HITTING: Cavin Wiest 0-3, Liam Benson 1-3, Sam Plummer 0-4, Hayden Mayer 2-4, Grady Campbell 1-5, Mason Lewis 0-2, Ryder Hamilton 0-2, Holland Jantzen 1-3, Ryder Rodriguez 2-4; RBI: Benson 2, Plummer, Mayer 2, Campbell 2, Jantzen; 2B: Campbell, Benson

BIGFORK PITCHING: Hayden Mayer (3IP, 1H, 3R, 0ER, 3BB, 4SO), Grady Campbell (4IP, 1H, 2R, 2ER, 3BB, 4SO)

RONAN HITTING: Treysin Sinclair 0-3, Liam Jackson 0-4, Everett Lozeau 0-4, Ben Mitchell 0-2, Hunter Luedtke 2-3, Lucas Johnston 0-1, Damien Hess 0-2, Denzel Baltz 0-3, Bayland Hess 0-3; RBI: Luedtke 4; 2B: Luedtke

RONAN PITCHING: Hunter Luedtke (2IP, 2H, 5R, 4ER, 3BB, 2SO), Ben Mitchell (4IP, 5H, 6R, 5ER, 3BB, 5SO)

Tuesday, April 22

At Whitefish

BIGFORK 4, WHITEFISH 3

Bigfork - 0100300 - 4 - 5 - 1

Whitefish - 0021000 - 3- 8 - 3

BIGFORK HITTING: Cavin Wiest 0-4, Liam Benson 1-4, Sam Plummer 2-4, Hayden Mayer 1-4, Grady Campbell 1-2, Mason Lewis 0-3, Ryder Hamilton 0-3, Holland Jantzen 0-1; Ryder Rodriguez 0-1; RBI: Benson, Plummer

BIGFORK PITCHING: Mason Lewis (7IP, 8H, 3R, 2ER, 1SO)

WHITEFISH HITTING: Ryan Conklin 1-4, Luke Dalen 1-4, Tait Orme 1-3, Christian Schwaderer 1-3, Carter Godsey 0-2, Reed Boyer 0-3, Avery Caton 0-3, Drew Queen 1-3, Calvin Eisenbarth 3-3; RBI: Schwaderer, Godsey; 2B: Eisenbarth 2, Dalen; 3B: Schwaderer

WHITEFISH PITCHING: L Stewart (5IP, 4H, 4R, 3ER, 4BB, 9SO), Bear Barker (2IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 3SO)