Vikings outpace Ronan at PaddleHeads Showcase

BIGFORK — “Free” passes made a difference in this one, with Bigfork collecting three walks and three hit by pitches during a six-run second inning in a 13-3 win over Ronan at the Missoula PaddleHeads High School Showcase, hosted by Frenchtown High. 

A hit batter, a single and back-to-back errors led to three Ronan (1-7) runs in the top of the second, but the Chiefs’ 3-2 lead didn’t last long. 

Cavin Weist was hit to lead off Bigfork’s half of the inning; he came around on two stolen bases and a throwing error. A bases-loaded error let Holland Jantzen score the run that put the Vikings (7-2) up 4-3; Max Schara soon walked to reload the bases and Hayden Mayer and Mason Lewis were hit by pitches to drive in two more runs. 

Wiest came up again and capped the uprising with a two-run single, making it 8-3. 

Jantzen had two of Bigfork’s eight hits, including a double. Ryder Hamilton also hit a double. Mayer ended up with three RBIs; it was his sacrifice fly that brought in Bigfork’s 13th run, ending the game under the mercy rule.  

Lewis also pitched five innings, allowing one hit — a single by Ben Mitchell — along with four walks and no earned runs. He struck out four.