Dillon Cubs Split Doubleheader With Gallatin Valley Outlaws in Dillon, Rally Late for Dramatic 9-8 Victory

DILLON, Mont. — The Dillon Cubs earned a split in an exciting American Legion Baseball doubleheader Tuesday night in Dillon, battling back for a thrilling 9-8 comeback victory in the opener before falling 14-1 to the Gallatin Valley Outlaws in the nightcap.

The Cubs showed plenty of resilience throughout the evening, erasing a four-run deficit in Game 1 before Andrew Bartlome delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Dillon to the dramatic win.

Cubs Rally Late to Win Opener 9-8

The first game of the doubleheader featured several momentum swings as Gallatin Valley jumped out to an early lead before the Cubs answered in a big way.

The Outlaws opened the scoring in the third inning when Jaxson Iddings drove in the game's first run with a single.

Dillon responded in the bottom of the fourth with its biggest offensive inning of the game. The Cubs plated six runs on three hits to take a 6-4 advantage. Sawyer Crowe delivered one of the key plays of the inning with a fielder's choice that brought home two runs.

Gallatin Valley refused to go away. The Outlaws capitalized on walks and a Dillon error in the top of the sixth to score four runs and reclaim an 8-6 lead, putting the Cubs three outs away from defeat.

Instead, Dillon answered with one final rally in front of the home crowd.

Sawyer Tackett started the comeback by driving in a run with a double to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, Andrew Bartlome lined a clutch single that scored two runs, giving the Cubs a 9-8 lead and completing the comeback.

Bartlome also earned the win on the mound, throwing one and two-thirds scoreless innings while striking out two and allowing no hits.

Tackett started for Dillon, pitching five innings while striking out six. Kanin Engelhardt also appeared in relief.

At the plate, Tackett finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Bartlome also drove in two runs. Parker Mills reached base twice via walks as the Cubs showed patience at the plate, drawing six free passes.

Gallatin Valley collected nine walks of its own, with Jaxson Iddings finishing 2-for-3 and Mateo Verdeja and Iddings each driving in two runs.

Gallatin Valley Responds in Game 2

The Outlaws bounced back in the second game, scoring early and often on the way to a 14-1 victory.

Gallatin Valley struck for four runs in the opening inning behind an RBI single from Jaxson Iddings and a three-run double by Tucker Smith.

The Outlaws continued to build their advantage with two more runs in the second inning before erupting for five additional runs in the third to put the game out of reach.

Scotty LeMay earned the complete-game victory, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out four over five innings.

Trenton Moreni took the loss for Dillon after Gallatin Valley's hot start.

Despite the score, the Cubs continued to battle offensively. Andrew Bartlome and Sawyer Tackett each collected two hits, while Moreni drove in Dillon's lone run.

Gallatin Valley finished with 12 hits, led by Tucker Smith, Sawyer Marx, Tristan Engbretson and Dawson Davis, who each recorded two hits. Smith drove in three runs to pace the Outlaws' offense.

The Outlaws also played a clean defensive game without committing an error and turned a double play.

Looking Ahead

With the split, the Dillon Cubs continue their busy American Legion Baseball schedule and return to action Wednesday when they host the Bozeman Bucks A in Dillon.

The comeback victory in the opener showcased the Cubs' ability to respond under pressure, while the nightcap provided valuable experience against a strong Gallatin Valley squad as Dillon continues preparing for the stretch run of the season.