by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Bitterroot Red Sox American Legion baseball organization had a special Community Appreciation event at the American Legion Field in Hamilton on Tuesday, July 8. The event took place before and during the Red Sox’s doubleheader with the Kalispell Lakers, and was a way for the organization to thank the community for all their support.
“It is a great way for us to say thank you to the community,” said Jamie Tadvick, the Red Sox board president. “We have an excellent ‘A’ team this year, and we wanted to show how much all the support from the community means to our programs and the kids.”
The Bitterroot Red Sox are sponsored by American Legion Post 47 in Hamilton. The Post 47 Color Guard presented the flags at the opening ceremony before the game. American Legion Baseball is in its 100th season this year, so the celebration honored that as well. The Red Sox began playing Legion baseball in 1988; before that there was one combined Legion team in the Bitterroot Valley.
The Bitterroot Red Sox gave special thanks to Ravalli Services during their Community Appreciation event. Two Ravalli Services employees threw out the first pitch. Photo by Hope Earp.
The Red Sox gave special recognition to Ravalli Services during the event, and two of their employees threw out the ceremonial first pitches to start the festivities.
Attendance was free and there were hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as other events, including Baseball Bingo, where instead of “B6,” you made your mark with a strikeout or a home run or a double play.
The Red Sox were successful in thanking the community with the event, and they were also successful on the field, as they defeated the Lakers in both games, 7-5 in the first game, and 3-1 in the second game.
In the first game, the Lakers jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but the Red Sox stormed back, scoring 5 runs in the 5th and 6th innings to snag the win. Red Sox pitcher Trevyn Brakken came in as relief and struck out 4 batters and didn’t allow a hit in the final four innings of the game. At the plate for the Red Sox, Reese Earp went 1 for 3 and had 2 RBIs, Elijah McNair-Neal went 1 for 3 and had 2 RBIs, and Jude Widmer went 1 for 3 and scored 2 runs.
The Bitterroot Red Sox held a Community Appreciation event at the American Legion Field in Hamilton on Tuesday, July 8. The American Legion Post 47’s Color Guard presented the colors at the opening ceremony. Photo by Hope Earp.
In the second game, the Red Sox defeated the Lakers 3-1. Starting pitcher Jackson Lubke went five innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 9 batters. At the plate for the Red Sox, Lubke helped his own cause with a solo home run. Trevyn Bakken went 2 for 3 and Jude Widmer stole a base and scored a run.
Missoula Mavericks Tournament
On Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, the Red Sox played in Missoula at the 2025 Mavericks Invitational Tournament and went 3-2. On Thursday, they defeated the Missoula Mavericks A squad 10-2 and the Tri-County Cardinals 14-3. On Friday, they lost to the Northern Lakes Mountaineers 2-8. On Saturday they lost to the Bitterroot Bucs 6-7. Finally, on Sunday they defeated the Spokane Expos 16-4.
Red Sox 14, Tri-County Cardinals 3
On Thursday against the Cardinals, Red Sox pitcher Brady DeMoss got the win. At the plate, Reese Earp went 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Cash Lawrence went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs, and Boedy Tadvick went 2 for 2, scored 2 runs and had an RBI.
Red Sox 10, Missoula Mavericks A 2
On Thursday, the Missoula Mavericks A squad, Red Sox pitcher Jude Widmer got the win. At the plate, Brady DeMoss went 2 for 3 with a solo home run, Hunter Harrness went 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs, and Jackson Lubke went 2 for 3, scored 3 runs and had an RBI.
Red Sox 2, Northern Lakes Mountaineers 8
On Friday, the Red Sox lost to the Northern Lakes Mountaineers 2-8. At the plate for the Red Sox, Elijah McNair-Neal went 1 for 2 with an RBI and Jackson Lubke went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Red Sox 6, Bitterroot Bucs 7
On Saturday, the Red Sox were defeated by their valley neighbor, the Bitterroot Bucs. The Red Sox led 6-4 after 6 innings, but gave up 3 runs in the 7th inning to take the loss. At the plate for the Red Sox, Reese Earp hit a 3-run home run, and Boedy Tadvick went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs.
Red Sox 16, Spokane Expos 4
On Sunday, the Red Sox defeated the Spokane Expos 16-4. At the plate for the Red Sox, Brady DeMoss went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs, and Joe Hixon, Trevyn Bakken and Connor Quinn each had 2 RBIs.