Beavers Walk Off Columbia Falls, Advance to State Class A-B Championship Game

The Beaverhead County Beavers are headed to the State Class A Championship game after a thrilling 5-4 walk-off victory over Columbia Falls on Friday.

With the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Gage Curnow delivered the biggest hit of the season so far, lining a single to center field to score the winning run and send the Beavers into Saturday's championship game.

Columbia Falls struck first in the top of the fourth inning. Jory Hill and Jaxson Cadwell each delivered RBI singles, while Lincoln Fisher added a sacrifice fly as the Wildcats built a 3-0 lead.

The Beavers battled back throughout the game and finally tied things up in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garrett Tackett drove in a run with a single, and Sawyer Tackett followed with an RBI groundout to even the score.

The Wildcats briefly regained the lead in the top of the seventh when Jett Pitts singled home a run to put Columbia Falls ahead 4-3.

But Beaverhead County had one more rally left.

In the bottom of the seventh, Levi Stonebraker drew a walk that forced in the tying run. Moments later, Curnow stepped to the plate and delivered the game-winning hit to center field, bringing home the winning run and setting off a celebration for the Beavers.

Stonebraker earned the victory on the mound, allowing just one hit and no runs over one inning of relief while striking out one. Sawyer Tackett started the game for Beaverhead County, allowing three runs on one hit while striking out three over three innings. Will Hansen also contributed a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.

Curnow led the Beavers offensively, going 2-for-3 at the plate and driving in the game-winning run. Trenton Moreni, Garrett Tackett, Sawyer Tackett, and Curnow each recorded an RBI. Beaverhead County showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks, with Cohen Hartman and Stonebraker collecting two apiece.

The Beavers also turned a key double play defensively.

For Columbia Falls, Jory Hill paced the offense with two hits in three at-bats.

With the victory, Beaverhead County continues its historic season and will play for the State Class A Championship on Saturday at 11 AM. The Beavers enter the title game looking to cap off one of the most successful seasons in program history with a state championship.