Bigfork Baseball wraps up season

The Bigfork Vikings baseball team ended its 2025 campaign at the Sapa-Johnsrud Tournament in Whitefish with two tightly contested games that showcased their talent but showed the sport can have a fine margin at times.

Bigfork fell 8-7 to Corvallis on Friday, May 16, and dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 extra-inning loss to Hamilton the following day. The Vikings concluded their season with an 11-7 record.

In Friday’s matchup, Bigfork appeared to have the upper hand early, jumping out to a 7-2 lead through four innings. The Vikings capitalized on their hitting, with Ryeln Rodriguez and Hayden Mayer each going 2-for-4 at the plate. Rodriguez drove in three runs while Mayer knocked in two and added a double to his stat line. Ryder Hamilton and Cavin Wiest also chipped in with base hits to keep the offense moving.

Pitcher Alex Vigil gave Bigfork a solid start, tossing four innings and allowing just one hit and two runs — only one of them earned — while striking out one and walking two. The bullpen, however, couldn’t hold off a late Corvallis rally. Corvallis plated two runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the top of the seventh to erase Bigfork’s advantage.

Bigfork returned to the diamond Saturday against Hamilton in what turned out to be a defensive duel. After taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Bigfork was held scoreless for the remainder of the game despite producing six hits. Liam Benson, Grady Campbell, Mason Lewis, and Cavin Wiest each recorded hits, with Benson doubling and Lewis and Wiest combining for four base knocks.

Bigfork pitchers once again kept the Vikings in the game. Lewis started and delivered a strong performance over six innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run. Though he issued nine walks, he minimized the damage with timely outs. Mayer took over in extra innings and pitched four and two-thirds frames, giving up four hits and another unearned run.

Hamilton tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third and finally pushed across the winning run in the 11th inning, ending Bigfork’s season in walk-off fashion.

While the Vikings came up short in their final two contests, the tournament highlighted the team's competitiveness and development throughout the spring. Finishing with a winning record and several close contests against quality opponents, Bigfork showed it can be a contender. 

Friday, May 16

Sapa-Johnsrud Baseball Tournament

At Whitefish

CORVALLIS 8, BIGFORK 7

Corvallis - 2000204 - 8 - 7 - 2

Bigfork - 2302000 - 7 - 6 - 2

BIGFORK HITTING: Ryeln Rodriguez 2-4, Hayden Mayer 2-4, Ryder Hamilton 1-3, Cavin Wiest 1-3; RBI: Rodriguez 3, Mayer 2; 2B: Mayer

BIGFORK PITCHING: Alex Vigil (4IP, 1H, 2R, 1ER, 2BB, 1SO), Holland Jantzen (2 and 1/3IP, 6H, 6R, 4ER, 0BB, 1SO), Ryeln Rodriguez (2/3IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 1SO)

Saturday, May 17

Sapa-Johnsrud Baseball Tournament

At Whitefish

HAMILTON 2, BIGFORK 1

Bigfork - 01000000000 - 1 - 6 - 5

Hamilton - 00100000001 - 2 - 6 - 1

BIGFORK HITTING: Liam Benson 1-5, Grady Campbell 1-4, Mason Lewis 2-5, Cavin Wiest 2-4; 2B: Liam Benson

BIGFORK PITCHING: Mason Lewis (6IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, 9BB, 1SO), Hayden Mayer (4 and 2/3IP, 4H, 1R, 0 ER, 4BB, 2SO) 

    Bigfork varsity relief pitcher Holland Jantzen delivers a pitch against Corvallis. (Steve Mitchell photo)
  

    Bigfork's Grady Campbell slides in safe against Corvallis. (Steve Mitchell photo)