Bandits best Mavericks twice for A Legion title

DILLON — Belgrade refused to let its season end with a loss Sunday. 

The Bandits forced a decisive second contest with an 11-0 victory over Miles City in game one, then rode another explosive offensive performance for a 19-9 win, claiming the Class A Legion state championship. 

Belgrade wasted little time taking control of the first game, sending 11 batters to the plate during a six-run opening inning. Max Zimmer, Andrew Hazen and Law Preasmyer each delivered RBI singles before Trace Thomas capped the rally with a two-run hit. 

The Bandits added four more runs in the third while Memphis Wagner kept the Mavericks quiet, tossing five scoreless innings. Zimmer, Brayton VanDyken and Thomas each drove in two runs as Belgrade finished with 10 hits and drew eight walks. 

Miles City came out swinging in the winner-take-all game, grabbing a 2-0 lead on Bridger Muri's two-run double in the first inning. 

Belgrade answered immediately, scoring six runs in the second before stretching the lead with a VanDyken home run in the third. 

The Mavericks battled back to tie the game 9-9 in the fourth, but Belgrade responded with its biggest inning of the day, scoring seven runs in the bottom half to seize control for good. 

Zimmer and Thomas each had three hits and four RBIs as the Bandits piled up 15 hits to capture the state title.