by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The field for the 2025 State Baseball Tournament is set and Hamilton is the only Bitterroot Valley school to qualify. The Broncs play Billings Skyview, the #1 seed from the East Conference, on Thursday, May 22 at 4 p.m. The All Class State Baseball Tournament will be in Hamilton on May 22-24.
Hamilton
Hamilton won an epic game to qualify for the state tournament. On Saturday, May 17, they played a play-in game against Bigfork and won 2-1 in 11 innings. With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 11th, Hamilton’s Jackson Lubke hit a sacrifice fly to score Brady DeMoss to give Hamilton the victory and a place at state. Lubke also pitched 8 innings, striking out 14 batters and allowing only 4 hits. For Hamilton, Atticus Southwell and Lubke had RBIs, and DeMoss went 2 for 4 and scored a run.
Hamilton pitcher Jackson Lubke struck out 14 batters and allowed only 4 hits in Hamilton’s 2-1 victory over Bigfork in a state play-in game on Saturday, May 17. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Earlier in the week, Hamilton played at Frenchtown on Tuesday, May 13, to decide the South Conference regular season champion. Hamilton fell 3-4 in 8 innings and was forced to play the above play-in game. Hamilton pitcher Cash Lawrence got the start and struck out 10 batters and allowed only 2 hits. For Hamilton, Atticus Southwell went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Hunter Harrness hit an RBI double and Lawrence scored 2 runs.
Florence
On Tuesday, May 13, Florence played at Mission-Arlee-Charlo and won 14-0. Florence pitcher Alden Crawford struck out 10 batters and allowed only 2 hits over 5 innings to get the win. For Florence, Calan Rocco went 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs, Chase Wagner went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs, and Jordan Vigil went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Stevensville
Stevensville played at Corvallis on Monday, May 12, and lost 1-6. For Stevensville, Joey Wheeler went 1 for 2 and scored a run.
Then on Wednesday, May 14, they hosted Missoula Big Sky and fell 2-14. Stevensville got hits from McCoy Endres, Joey Wheeler, Shane Ayers, Braden Drye, and Connor Lenahan.
Corvallis
Corvallis hosted Stevensville on Monday, May 12, and won 6-1. Corvallis pitcher Adrian Cardullo was masterful, striking out 16 batters. Cardullo also went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs at the plate. For Corvallis, Maurice Craun went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Joe Hixon went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Then on Thursday, May 15, Corvallis hosted Missoula Hellgate and won 14-4. For Corvallis, Adrian Cardullo went 3 for 5, scored 4 runs and had 4 RBIs, Reese Earp went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Jake Leavitt went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and Bridger Huddleston went 2 for 4 with an RBI.