Historic Season Ends With State Runner-Up Finish for Beavers

For the first time in program history, the Beaverhead County Beavers reached the State Class A-B Championship Game, giving the program its first-ever opportunity to compete for a State A-B baseball title.

While the Beavers' championship dreams came up just short Saturday, the team capped off a historic season with a runner-up finish after falling 7-2 to the Bigfork Vikings in the State Class A-B Championship game.

Despite outhitting Bigfork six hits to five, Beaverhead County was unable to overcome a big third inning by the Vikings.

The Beavers struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Levi Stonebraker singled to drive in a run and give Beaverhead County an early 1-0 lead.

Bigfork answered in the top of the third. Hayden Mayer delivered a three-run double to put the Vikings in front before Mason Lewis added an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-1.

The Beavers continued to battle throughout the game but could not generate enough offense against Mayer, who earned the complete-game victory. The Bigfork pitcher allowed six hits and two runs, only one of them earned, over seven innings while striking out one and walking one.

Cohen Hartman took the loss for Beaverhead County. The starter struck out five and allowed three runs on one hit over two and two-thirds innings. Garrett Tackett provided strong relief work, striking out eight batters over four and one-third innings while allowing four runs, only one of them earned.

Stonebraker paced the Beavers offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Beaverhead County also put pressure on the Vikings on the bases, stealing four bases during the contest.

For Bigfork, Mayer drove in four runs while going 2-for-4 at the plate. Mayer and Mason Lewis each collected two hits to lead the Vikings' offense.

Although the season ended one game shy of a state championship, the Beavers accomplished something no Beaverhead County baseball team had done before—reaching the State Class A-B Finals and earning the program's first chance to play for a state title.

The championship game appearance capped a remarkable season for Beaverhead County, which finished with a 19-1-1 record and established a new benchmark for the program. The Beavers not only qualified for their first state tournament but advanced all the way to the championship game, creating a season that will be remembered as one of the most successful in school history.

While the final result was not the one the Beavers hoped for, their run to the State Class A-B Championship Game marked a milestone achievement for Beaverhead County baseball and set the stage for future success.