Welcome everybody to the Keeping Score podcast presented by Corwin Motors. 

This is my final episode as the host of the Keeping Score podcast and while there isn’t a lot of topics to cover, I wanted to use this episode to say my goodbyes and update everyone on how the Kalispell AA Lakers did at their state tournament over the weekend so without further ado, let’s get into this week’s highlights you might have missed.  

The Lakers had great pitching throughout the state tournament but unfortunately the offense was unable to provide much of a spark in their two losses and were bounced out of the tournament Friday night. 

In the opening game at state, Andre Cephers took the bump lasting three innings with three hits allowed and two earned runs before Kyler Croft shutout the Billings Scarlets for the final three frames, but Billings was able to hold on for the win, beating the Lakers 2-1 on Wednesday.  

Billings scored two in the second inning, capitalizing on walks and back-to-back RBI singles for their only runs of the game. The Lakers’ only run of the game came in the top of the fifth inning when Cephers doubled and came around to score on Kaeden Kahler’s RBI single. Hunter Fann reached first base on an error to lead off the inning but was thrown out at third on Cephers double which would have been the game tying run. 

In the seventh inning, Cephers singled followed by Kahler’s walk and the tying run was in scoring position before the final two batters were retired in order to end the game. 

Thursday night, Great Falls jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning before the Lakers took the lead in the fourth and added two more insurance runs in the sixth for their only win of the tournament, beating the Chargers 4-1. 

Carter Schlegel singled and stole second on a hit and run to come around and score on Luke Nikunen’s single to tie the game at 1 in the fourth. With two outs, Cephers singled home Nikunen to take the lead and the Lakers never looked back. 

In the sixth inning it was more Nikunen as he doubled to advance Schlegel who came around to score on Cepher’s second RBI of the game. Nikunen finished 2-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. He also picked up the win, allowing nine hits but only one earned run and struck out 9 across 5 1-3 innings. Cepher’s collected a base hit and drove in two.  

On Friday the Lakers lost a heartbreaker to end their season. Clinging to a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning the Billings Royals plated two runs to tie the game and walked it off in the ninth inning to bounce the Lakers and advance with a 3-2 win. 

In the second inning, the Lakers loaded the bases with no outs but could not get the big hit they needed. Three straight batters flew out to center field with Brady Buckmaster’s fly out being deep enough to score a run and give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. 

In the sixth inning they loaded the bases again but could not get the clutch hit needed as Hunter Fann made it 2-0, scoring on a passed ball and the Royals immediately responded in their half of the inning, capitalizing on the Lakers miscues. 

With two outs and a chance to escape the inning the Lakers committed an error in the outfield that scored both runners to tie the game at 2. The Lakers put the winning run on second in the top half of the seventh inning before two more pop outs ended the threat. 

In the ninth inning, it was more of the same as the Lakers had the winning run in scoring position again with one out but this time the Royals capitalized. With two outs Brady Baker singled and advanced to third on two passed balls. The following batter Ryder Murdock singled home Baker for the walk-off win and end the Lakers season. 

Nevertheless, it was a great season for the Lakers as they put themselves in a position to win the state tournament thanks largely in part to great pitching including Jackson Heino’s finale performance where he pitched 5 1-3 innings not allowing an earned run. Ostyn Brennan pitched the final 3 1-3 frames to keep the shutout alive as all three of the Royals runs were unearned. 

The Lakers finished the season with a 38-21 record.  

Well folks that is going to wrap up this episode of the Keeping Score podcast presented by Corwin Motors as my time as host comes to an end. I have enjoyed covering high school sports over the past year in the Valley and hope I did a good job of giving these incredible athletes the recognition they deserve. Until next time, take care.  

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