Kalispell Lakers AA coach Ryan Malmin “was hoping this year would be the” year it would finally happen.

Kalispell, which is making its eighth trip to state in Malmin’s 11 seasons here, finished regular-season play with a 38-19 record overall. That was two wins short of the 40-win mark the coach and team was hoping to reach before tournament time.

“We’re in the 30s (wins) almost every year,” he said.

“In 2009 we had 38 wins. In Glasgow (where Malmin coach previously) we had 38, too.”

But never 40.

Regardless, it still has been a remarkable season for the Lakers.

They tied for fourth in league play with Helena. Both teams had 12-10 records.

“Third time in four years that we finished in the top four, or tied for fourth,” he said.

The Lakers beat every conference team at least once.

Kalispell opened the season by winning 12 of its first 14 games and closed 8-5 for the month of July. The Lakers finished by sweeping doubleheaders from Great Falls and Butte.

Of the final 13 games, 11 were played at home — Griffin Field.

“Our team chemistry is as good as we’ve ever had,” Malmin said of what makes this team so special, and successful.

“They love to hang around each other, play baseball together.”

The Lakers can still achieve that 40-win mark with a couple wins at the Montana/Alberta State American Legion tournament in Missoula. Action starts today with Helena and Kalispell playing a 12:30 p.m. game at Lindborg-Cregg Field.

Helena was awarded the fourth seed because it won both conference matchups with the Lakers, who are seeded fifth. In six meetings with the Lakers, Helena went 4-2.

That winner advances to face the Missoula Mavericks or Bozeman Bucks on Thursday at 7 p.m. The Mavs and Bucks play today at 7 p.m.

Missoula is the top seed while Bozeman is No. 8.

“As much as any matchup (today at state), we’re probably as balanced a matchup as there is,” Malmin said of the Helena game.

“Both teams have great team speed, the outfielders cover a lot of ground and guys on the mound throw at the zone. We might have a little more power, but they execute their short game a little better.”

In today’s other pairings, No. 3 Lethbridge Elks face No. 6 Billings Royals at 9:30 a.m. followed by the No. 2 Billings Scarlets versus No. 7 Medicine Hat Monarchs.

The double-elimination tournament runs through Sunday.

The state champ advances to Northwest Regional play Aug. 3-7 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington are the other regional states.

The AA World Series is Aug. 12-16 in Shelby, North Carolina.

Malmin will start Leif Ericksen on the mound. He’s been on the hill for 19 games, posting a 13-1 record.

Ericksen, in 81 2/3 innings, has struck out 53 batters. He’s walked 38 and allowed 72 hits, which includes three home runs.

“Leif last year didn’t throw much for us,” Malmin said.

“He’s put the time in, in the offseason from November to March to make himself a pitcher. He’s a competitor on the mound, been consistent. It has been absolutely awesome to watch him develop on the mound. He fills the bottom of the zone. His fastball has a little movement to it.”

Malmin said Ericksen’s ability “to locate his second and third pitch in most counts,” is the reason he’s lost just one game.

“Our pitching staff,” Malmin said has surprised him the most this year.

“After graduating 80 percent of our staff last year, they have done a phenomenal job. They have given us an opportunity to win every time out.”

Micah Benson has been on the hill for 13 games and owns a 7-1 record.

Dawson Smith is 8-5 and Logan DeCock 6-5.

Smith is second on the staff with 46 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings. He’s walked 31, allowed 80 hits and has a 3.30 ERA.

Kalispell pitchers have allowed just six home runs.

“Our offensive production has been way up from previous years,” Malmin said.

“We had 37 triples and we’ve used our team speed on the bases to put the game in motion. We’ve stolen 155 out of 170 attempts.”

As a team, the Lakers are hitting .310. Seven players, who have played in 20 games or more, are hitting over .300.

Spencer Pisk, .373, has the top average.

Patrick O’Connell, .360, leads the team in games played (56), at bats (172), hits (62) and singles (44). He’s second in triples (8).

Andrew Schleusner, .327, has the most runs scored (43), most doubles (16, along with Joe Broughton), home runs (2, along with Jake Halland, .341) and RBIs (53).

Micah Benson, .333, has the most triples (9).

Missoula is hosting state for the first time in 14 years. The Billings Scarlets won last year’s state tournament in Helena, defeating the Royals 7-1.

NOTES: Malmin picked up his 600th career coaching victory at home versus the Billings Scarlets on July 15. DeCock pitched a 2-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader. Billings won the second game 6-3. “I have been incredibly blessed to work with kids who love baseball and to put together the best program possible,” he said. “That’s true of Kalispell and Glasgow.” Malmin spent eight seasons coaching Glasgow, leading the Reds to seven state appearances.

AA State Champions

2015 — Billings Scarlets

2014 — Missoula Mavericks

2013 — Billings Royals

2012 — Billings Royals

2011 — Billings Scarlets

2010 — Missoula Mavericks

2009 — Billings Scarlets

2008 — Billings Scarlets

2007 — Bozeman Bucks

2006 — Billings Scarlets

2005 — Billings Royals

2004 — Lethbridge Elks

2003 — Helena Senators

2002 — Helena Senators

2001 — Helena Senators

2000 — Billings Scarlets

1999 — Lethbridge Elks

1998 — Missoula Mavericks

1997 — Missoula Mavericks

1996 — Miles City Mavericks

1995 — Missoula Mavericks

1994 — Missoula Mavericks

1993 — Billings Scarlets

1992 — Billings Royals

1991 — Missoula Mavericks

1990 — Billings Scarlets

1989 — Billings Scarlets

1988 — Billings Royals

1987 — Lethbridge Elks