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A piggyback ride down the ‘family run’
Following is an updated version of a column that was first published on May 14, 2013:
One of the lasting impressions I have of my cousin Jerry D’Arcy is him walking up a ski hill with his skis over his shoulder. He was shaking his head in utter disbelief.
He could not believe that I was just standing on the top of the mountain when the whole purpose of being there was to go down it.
I had reached the first steep section of what they told me was the “family run” at Discovery Ski Area, and I was not going to go any farther.
It was my first time ever on skis. I was 11 years old, and I was not the bravest boy in town. I wanted to be, but I was not.
That I was on top of that hill in the first place was kind of an upset. I was there mostly because I could not say no to my cousins, who insisted I did not need a few runs on the bunny hill before heading up the chair lift a few of days after Christmas in 1985.
Jerry’s friend Jay Ballenger rode up the lift with me. He helped me get on the chair, and he coached me on how to get off. He was so nice and encouraging. He made it sound so easy.
His advice actually helped me get off the lift. It did not, however, stop me from crash landing and looking like an idiot after I got off the chair.
Then, as Jerry went ahead of us, Jay coached me as we glided to the part of the hill that at the time I thought was steep. Sure, it’s not really much of a hill. Little kids go down it skiing without poles. At the time, though, it felt like I was standing on top of Mount Everest.
The top of that mountain is where I lost every shred of dignity as I bawled my eyes out, refusing to go any further.
After some nice encouragement from Jay — and some not-so-nice encouragement from my brother and other cousins — Jerry decided he was just going to carry me down the hill.
Jerry, who hiked about 100 yards uphill in his ski boots, handed his poles and my skis to Jay. Then he had me climb on his back and we headed down the mountain.
My first ever ski run ended with Jerry and Jay taking turns giving me a piggyback ride down the mountain. Jerry dropped me off at the base of the bunny hill and left me there for the day, one of the most embarrassing and shameful days of my life.
To me, Jerry was as cool as they come. He was smart, funny, quick-witted, too brave for his own good and a little bit crazy. He was everything I wished I could be, and I just acted like an idiot in front of him.
I’ll never forget the time he passed our family car on his motorcycle as we drove on Continental Drive. He was driving on the skinny trail on the side of the road, and he took flight over each street that intersection the trail.
I’ll never forget the time I went on a hunt with Jerry and he took off sprinting after a coyote, just for the heck of it. He held his rifle in one hand as he sprinted and hurdled fallen trees. My 12-year-old legs couldn’t come close to keeping up.
I’ll never forget all the Atari games we’d play on the nights Jerry was charged with “watching” my brothers and me when our parents went out for the night. It was impressive to me then that he would take the time to spend nights with us, even if my parents paid him.
I’ll never forget how tightly I hung onto anything I could when I rode in the back of his Bronco because, as his driving record would surely attest, Jerry was not big on speed limits.
I’ll never forget first hearing the story about how he outran the police officer, who was about to marry our aunt, on his motorcycle.
I’ll never forget the night that he was having too much time goofing off with his friends that he forgot to make an appearance at his own birthday party.
I’ll never forget that the adults in our family called him “Little Jerry,” even though at about 6-foot-2, he was the tallest of all the cousins.
Some moments are just frozen in time, and one that I could never shake is the one on his back at Discovery. Jerry never complained, and he never mentioned the incident ever again. But I never felt like a bigger wimp in my life.
I still don’t feel like I have lived that moment down.
At the same time, I never felt more fortunate to have Jerry as my cousin. I knew that, no matter what, he always had my back.
Another moment I will never get over came early on the morning of May 15, 1988, almost two and a half years after my piggyback ride at Discovery.
I was 14 and I was working at the concession stand at Stodden Park, getting ready for a busy Sunday. Like just about every weekend back then, the park was hosting a bar-sponsored softball tournament.
I can still hear the popcorn popping, smell the coffee brewing and see the tears on my uncle Melvin’s face as he walked in the door.
“What’s up, big guy?” I said. My uncle could hardly talk.
“Little Jerry,” he said, “was killed in a crash in the Highlands last night.”
My cousin died when his Bronco rolled as he and a group of friends tried to climb a really steep hill in the Highlands. He was only 20.
The days that followed were the most difficult I remember my family ever going through. They were the toughest days of my life. The two days of the wake and funeral seemed like two weeks. The weeks that followed seemed like years.
One recurring thought seemed to comfort me a bit during that time, and it still does today. As I looked around the church, I remember thinking that everyone in the building either has lived or will live longer than Jerry. Nobody, though, will ever outlive him.
Every day Jerry lived was one to remember. He made sure that he was never cheated of one day, and I am so lucky that I was able to be a part of some of them.
This Friday marks 38 years since Jerry left us, and sometimes it still feels like yesterday.
There has hardly been any of the nearly 14,000 days since he left us that I have not closed my eyes at least once and pictured my cousin vividly in my mind.
Usually, I see him walking up that hill at Discovery, shaking his head in utter disbelief.
— Bill Foley, who still isn’t all that brave, can be reached at foles74@gmail.com. Follow him at twitter.com/Foles74 or Bluesky at @foles74.bsky.social. Listen to him on the ButteCast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.
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No. 346: Russ and Jamie Cleveland
Every time you hear Russ Cleveland talk, you will hear another amazing story.
He documented many of those stories on his “60 for 60” videos that he has been posting on his campaign’s social media sites in the run up to the June 2 primary election.
Russ is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Montan’s 1st Congressional District.
He tells stories of meeting his wife when he was 14 years old, but claimed to be 16. He tells a story of working at a bank and having a gun pulled on him during a robbery. He tells the story of his oldest daughter and her courageous battle with leukemia.
Today, we hear another incredible story as we talk to Russ and his daughter Jamie. Last week, Jamie signed to compete in track for the Orediggers when she attends Montana Tech. She is following her mother into her field of study, and she is following her father as an Oredigger. Russ played football for coach Bob Green.
Jamie is a senior in high school in St. Regis, and she already earned an associate’s degree, thanks to dual credits offered through the high school.
She really seems to have a head start on college and life in general, and none of that would be possible if it was not for Russ, his wife Kate and their family.
Russ and Kate adopted Jamie when she was a freshman in high school. They first met her when Kate was coaching basketball and Russ was coaching track.
Jamie came from a life of abuse and neglect, and the Cleveland family welcomed her in as one of their own. She is not their “adopted daughter.” She is simply their daughter.
This morning, I met with Russ and Jamie at The Local on Galena Street to listen to them tell their story.
Listen in to hear what it was like for Jamie to become a Cleveland. Listen to what led her to Montana Tech. Listen to hear Jamie describe Russ as a coach and a parent. Listen as she talks about Russ’ unusual style of eating cereal, which I find to be ingenious.
You can meet Russ in person Wednesday when he holds a rally and a cookout at Stodden Park. The family event begins at 6 p.m. and hotdogs will be provided. If we’re lucky, Russ might even tell you another one of his incredible life stories.
Today’s episode is presented by the Jewelry Design Center. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life.
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Mineral & Gem show this weekend
The Butte Mineral & Gem Club’s annual show will be held at the Butte Civic Center this weekend.
The show will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
This year, all 40 display cases will feature minerals found in Montana, with 12 new exhibitors, four memorial displays and academic displays. It will also feature cases from local miners and prospectors.
The event will see 19 retail dealers of minerals, gems, jewelry and fossils. Silent auctions will be held on both days, and raffle winners will be contacted at the end of Sunday’s show.
The children’s area includes geode cracking, spin-the-wheel, building a mineral collection, grab bags and gold panning.
Admission is $3, but children 12 and under are free.
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Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week: Cadence Graham and Cole Solomon
Butte High juniors Cadence Graham and Cole Solomon are this week’s Leskovar Honda Athletes of the Week.
Graham takes home the girls’ honor after yet another outstanding performance on the track for the Bulldogs. Graham ran to victory in the 300-meter hurdles and second place in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday at a triangular with Belgrade and Billings West in Billings.
The Bulldog won the 300 hurdles with a time of 47.39 seconds. She placed second in the 100 hurdles with a personal-best time of 15.59 seconds.
Both times again eclipsed the qualifying standard for the Class AA State meet.
She beat the qualifying standard of 48.50 in the 300 hurdles for the fourth time this season. She also toppled the qualifying mark of 16.30 in the 100 hurdles for the fourth time this year.
Graham, who is best known for her prowess on the basketball court, has also competed in the 100- and 200-meter races as well as the relays for the Bulldogs.
Solomon takes home the boys’ honor for his performance at the plate and on the mound during Butte High’s thrilling 12-11 victory over Missoula Hellgate in 11 innings Saturday at 3 Legends Stadium. The game was scheduled for seven innings.
Solomon entered the game as a pitcher with the bases loaded and the game tied in the seventh inning. He worked out of that jam and went on to work four and a third innings, striking out five, to get the victory. He gave up just one earned run in the outing.
The righty threw 78 pitches in the extremely high-leverage situation that had the Bulldog and Hellgate faithful hanging on the outcome of each pitch.Solomon also hit a two-out RBI single to tie the game at 11 in the bottom of the 10th inning.
For the fourth year, Leskovar Honda, home of the non-commission sales staff that always has your back, is teaming up with the ButteCast to honor the finest student-athletes from the Mining City to encourage more children to get up, get out and try all kinds of sports and activities.
Photos of Graham and Solomon courtesy Alycia Holland Photography.
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KC basketball schedule
Following is the Knights of Columbus Athletic Club’s four-man basketball schedule for the week of May 11.
This is the final week of the regular season. The season-ending tournament will begin next week.
Monday
7 p.m. — Moof’s Dawgs vs. Parish
8 p.m. — Parish vs. Washington Generals
9 p.m. — Rosary Rattlers vs. Someday StartersTuesday
7 p.m. — Poi Time vs. Rosary Rattlers
8 p.m. — Crib Crew vs. HoopballasWednesday
7 p.m. — ButteSports vs. Someday Starters
8 p.m. — Washington Generals vs. Poi TimeThursday
7 p.m. — Rosary Rattlers vs. Moof’s Dawgs
8 p.m. — Hoopballas vs. ButteSports
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Pete Sorini Day set for June 6
The 11th Annual Pete Sorini CDT Trail Logout/Stewardship Day will be held on the Continental Divide Trail on Saturday, June 6.
The purpose of the event, which is named after the late friend and respected neurosurgeon, is to ready the trail for the hiking and biking season.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the Highlands Camp at 8:30 a.m. and plan to be back at the trailhead around 4:30 p.m. Also, people are asked to dress safely with closed-toed shoes, long pants, bug spray and sunscreen.
A group barbecue, featuring Rick Douglas will follow the trail work. Volunteers are asked to register ahead of time for an accurate food count.
Gina Evans, a group organizer, said this year’s event will include more downed trees than in recent years because of the weather over the past few months.
“We will need a solid, motivated group of volunteers to assist throughout the day,” Evans said. “This nonprofit has a responsibility to take care of all 3,100 miles of trail.”
Click here for more information or contact Evans at (406) 498-9653 or eatdirtpigpen@gmail.com.
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Episode No. 345: Max Demarais
As a sophomore in high school, Max Demarais could have probably run for any office in town — and won easily.
Around here, he was as famous as he is likable.
Max was diagnosed with a tumor behind his right eye after he struggled with the vision test while taking the driver’s education program. It was the summer before his freshman year at Butte High School.
That led to rounds of chemotherapy before he eventually made the incredibly tough decision — as a sophomore — to have his eye surgically removed.
That, did not stop Max. While the vision problem might have ended his basketball career a little early, he still went on to a great career playing defensive line for the Bulldogs. He also played baseball after the removal of the eye, hitting over .300 one season for the Butte Muckers and wiping away excuses for people like me who couldn’t hit the ball with two eyes.
Max grew up dreaming of playing football for the Montana State Bobcats. His family has long held season tickets, and Max went to his first Bobcat game in the first few days of his life.
He did not end up playing for the Cats, but this morning he graduated from the school with an engineering job already in hand. He graduated as a highly-decorated student with some prestigious scholarships in his pocket.
Before he starts that new career in Missoula — where he will not become a Grizzly fan — Max is going to spend a month traveling around Europe for a well-deserved vacation after graduating from MSU in four years.
Yesterday, I met up with Max over Zoom for a conversation on the eve of his college graduation. Listen in as Max talks about his fight with cancer and how he kept a positive attitude throughout.
Listen as he talks about the support he received from his teammates, friends and people from the community who he never knew.
Listen as he talks about his four years of college and find out how much MSU national championship gear he already owns.
Today’s episode is presented by Leskovar Honda, home of the friendly non-commission sales staff that always has your back. It is also available on YouTube:
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Brandl, Lerum, Zimpel perfect during Week 4 of trap league
Rayelynn Brandl, John Lerum and Kevin Zimpel broke all 50 targets to top individual standings during Week 4 of the Butte Trap Club’s spring league. (Results)
The perfect scores were the first of the spring league.
Kohlton Fultz and Walt McIntosh each shot a 49, and Scott White, John McIntosh, Gillian Clark and Jon Petro each shot a 48.
Brandl’s perfect score led women’s standings. After Clark’s 48, Ciana Dale shot a 42, and Colleen Fink shot a 41.
Dave Vicevich and Walt McIntosh led wobble scores at 49.
Through four weeks, Wolverine Systems leads team scratch standings at 759. Triple S Construction is second at 742, followed by WET 1 at 744.
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Eric Dunmire to lead BC wrestling
A Butte High legend has been hired to coach Butte Central wrestling program.
The school announced today that it is hiring 1998 Butte High graduate Eric Dunmire as its next head wrestling coach.
He brings extensive competitive experience, coaching knowledge and passion for student-athlete development to the position, the school said in a statement.
Dunmire was a four-time state champion wrestling for coach Jim Street’s Bulldogs. He then continuing his wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa. During his collegiate career, he became an NCAA Division I National Qualifier and later earned NAIA All-American honors.
His accomplishments have also been recognized locally through induction into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 as an individual and again in 2026 as part of the 1995 Butte High state championship team.
In addition to his competitive success, Dunmire has remained actively involved in wrestling through coaching at both the high school and middle school levels, as well as serving as an volunteer coach with the Butte Silver Bow Wrestling Club.
“We are excited to welcome Eric as the leader of our wrestling program,” Butte Central activities director Chad Petersen said in a statement. “Eric’s experience, wrestling background, and commitment to developing young people make him a tremendous fit for our student-athletes and school community. He understands the tradition of wrestling in Butte and has a strong vision for building a positive, disciplined, and competitive program.”
Dunmire replaces Andrew Holmes, who led the Maroons the past couple of seasons.
The photo of Dunmire above is from the 2024 Butte Sports Hall of Fame Green Jacket Ceremony. It was provided by Josie Trudgeon.
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Butte High boys run to Tomich title
Dogs, Maroons host Senior Days
Butte High’s boys’ track team seems to be heating up at the right time.
The Bulldogs opened May with a team victory Saturday at Butte Central’s John Tomich Invitational at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.
Butte High captured first place in six events to chalk up 127 team points. Laurel took second at 114, and Frenchtown finished third at 71, one point better than Boulder. The Host Maroons placed eighth in the nine-team meet with 17 points.
Frenchtown won the girls’ title with 143 points. Boulder was second at 97, and Butte High placed third with 64.
Senior Jacob Galle had a huge day for the Bulldogs, winning both hurdles races.
Galle won the 110-meter hurdles in 15.28 seconds. He won the 300-meter hurdles in 41.57 seconds. The 110 time reached the qualifying mark for the Class AA State meet. That was the third time he reached that standard this season.
Galle also ran a leg of both Butte High relay teams. The Bulldogs won the 1,600-meter relay and placed second in the 400-meter relay.
Senior Camden Houchin won the 800-meter race in 2 minutes, 3.31 seconds. Classmate Levi Wiltsie won the 3,200 in 10:40.70.
Senior Ryan Hanson continued his outstanding season winning the long jump and placing second in the high hump. His long jump mark of 21 feet, 9 inches was a personal-best for Hanson. It once again reached a qualifying standard.
Running with Galle in the 1,600 relay were Reece Cunneen, Raeder Grey and Houchin. Galle ran with Miner Lee, Preston Jensen and Brady Walsh in the short relay.
Walsh placed third in the 100, fifth in the 200 and fourth in the long jump. Other place winners Tyce Snow (second in the 200), Jaeger Hansen (third in the javelin), Lee (fourth in the 200), Charles Killebrew (fourth in the 800), Chase Choquette (fifth in the 400), Bradey Doyle (fifth in the pole vault), Lincoln Zell (sixth in the 800), Isaac Zell (sixth in the 1,600) and Cohen Andrews (sixth in the triple jump).
Danny McCarthy won the 100 in 11.43 seconds to lead the Butte Central boys. Palmer Kellicut took third in the 110 hurdles and sixth in the 300 hurdles.
Butte High’s girls won the 1,600-meter relay. Evelyn Smith, Cadence Graham, Penelope Luebke and Wakely Burelson each ran a leg. The Bulldog 400-meter relay team placed second, with Kloe Dickinson, Autumn Clary, Kate DeShaw and Burelson each running.
Graham also placed second in both hurdles races for the Bulldogs. Milee Stillwagon placed third in the 1,600 and fourth in the 800, and Clary took fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200.
Other place winners for the Bulldog girls were Sophia Houchin (fourth in the 400), DeShaw (fifth in the long jump), Luebke (sixth in the long jump), Burelson (sixth in the 400) and Emma Johnson (sixth in the discus).
Three days later, the Bulldogs hosted Missoula Big Sky and Butte Central in a meet at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.
Big Sky won on the boys’ and girls’ side, though the Bulldogs did not run their normal team.
The Eagles scored 105.5 points to win the boys’ race Butte High was next at 59, followed by BC at 10.5.
On the girls’ side, Big Sky scored 108.8 points. Butte High was second at 64.4, and BC scored 4.6.
Houchin, Isaac Zell, Wiltsie and Hansen picked up victories for the Butte High boys. Houchin won the 400 in 53.10 seconds, while Zell ran to a win in the 800 in 2:19.03. Wiltsie won the 1,600 in 5:02.91, and Hanson won the long jump in 20-2.
Galle took second in the 200 and third in the 100.
Other Bulldog boys placing in the top three were Killebrew (second in the 400), Lincoln Zell (second in the 1,600), Gannon Sullivan (second in the discus), Doyle (second in the pole vault), Andrews (second in the long jump) and Bridger Luebke (third in the 400).
Kellicut won the 110 hurdles with a personal-best time of 15.67 seconds to lead the Maroons. McCarthy placed second in the 100 with a PB of 11.14. That again reached a qualifying time for the junior.
Henly Mansanti took second in the high jump.
Saege Grey, Graham, Houchin, DeShaw, Johnson and eight grader Peyton Poole posted wins for the Butte High girls.
Grey won the 100 in 13.05 seconds, and Graham won the 100 hurdles with a personal-best time of 15.95. She also took third in the 200 and fourth in the 100.
Houchin added a personal best in the 400, winning in 1:01.77. DeShaw jumped a personal-best 16 feet to win the long jump.
Johnson won the discus in 101-3. She also placed third in the shot put.
Poole launched the javelin 111-5. That came withing 2 feet of the qualifying standard.
Other Bulldog girls in the top three were Allie Ballensky (second in the discus), Smith (second in the 400), Valerie Trabert (second in the pole vault), Stillwagon (third in the 800), Rylee Erickson (third in the 300 hurdles), Gabby Gamez (third in the javelin), Luebke (third in the long jump) and Kynslee Wrampe (third in the high jump).
Caden Tippett took second in the shot put to lead the BC girls. Harper McGree took third in the high jump.
The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday when they head to Billings West. The Maroons will compete Saturday in Dillon.
Maroons rally past Devils
Butte Central’s softball team made Corvallis pay for its mistakes Wednesday afternoon at a windy Stodden Park.
BC took advantage of 10 Corvallis errors to post a 13-8 Southwestern A victory. (Boxscore)
The win capped a busy stretch that saw the Maroons play six games in seven days. That includes four games at Frenchtown’s tournament over the weekend.
BC rolled past Livingston for a 15-0 win on Thursday. Then, the Maroons went 1-3 in Frenchtown. They lost 6-0 to Ronan and 19-9 to Frenchtown on Friday. BC beat Browning 17-0 before falling 13-7 to Havre on Saturday.
Only the Frenchtown game in that tournament counted in league standings.
Jordyn Samson scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday to break an 8-all tie. The Maroons added four runs in the bottom of the fifth the pull away.
BC pounded 10 hits in the victory. Braelynn Schelin smoked two doubles, while Kenzie McQueary and Ryan Olson each hit a double and a single in the win.
Cambri Campbell, Luci Fantini, Natalie Osterman and Kodee Badovinac hit singles for a Maroon lineup that got contributions from top to bottom.
Blake Smith walked and scored twice, while Arika Stajcar drove in a run.
Schelin pitched the distance, striking out six, for the win.
McQueary drove in four runs in the loss to Frenchtown. Her day included a double and a single. Campbell also doubled in the game. Smith and Marly Mansanti also singled for BC.
BC used 11 hits in the win over Browning. That includes three singles by Samson and two by Campbell. Stajcar, Cendyl Campbell, Mila Carriger, Olson and Zayonna Otherbull doubled. Mya McGree pitched the distance in the game called by the run rule after three innings. Seven of the nine outs she got came by way of the K.
In Thursday’s home win over Livingston, Alli Forrelli and McGree combined to hold the Rangers to just one hit.
Cambri Campbell doubled, while the nine BC hits were singles. Carriger, Olson and Stajcar each smacked two hits, while Samson, Fantini and McGree hit one. Stajcar drove in four runs, and Olson knocked in three.
The Maroons will travel to Corvallis for another game with the Blue Devils on Saturday. Next week, BC will host the Laverne Combo Invitational at Stodden Park and the Longfellow Complex.
Bulldogs set for Senior Day
Butte High’s softball team will celebrate Senior Day Thursday when Missoula Sentinel comes to town for a 3 p.m. Western AA contest at Stodden Park.
The Bulldogs will honor their four seniors and their parents before the first pitch. Those seniors are Mattie Stepan, Lauren Warren, Gracie Jonart and Ally Godbout.
That comes after Butte High went 1-2 in three games against the Class AA Billings schools last week in the Magic City.
Butte High fell 11-0 to a strong Billings West team on Thursday. (Boxscore) The Bulldogs beat Skyview 8-3 on Saturday (boxscore) before falling 7-2 to Senior (boxscore)
West’s Taum Bush struck out 14 batters in Friday’s one-hit victory over the Bulldogs. Taytem Abrams hit a pair of home runs, while Asa Edwards added one to power the Golden Bears’ offense.
Allie Becker bunted for a fifth-inning single to break up the no hitter. Avery Barsness bunted and reached on an error.
The Bulldogs rebounded for a nice win over the Falcons to start the day Saturday. First baseman Kendallyn Schad had a big day, going 3 for 4 with four RBIs to lead the Bulldog 15-hit attack. Reese Johnson added two singles and a double, while Stepan hit three singles in the win.
Godbout belted two singles. Brittyn Klima, Jonart, Brea Henderson and Cliry Conway each hit one.
Henderson fanned seven batters in the victory from the pitcher’s circle.
Senior’s Rayvin Fischer struck out eight batters to get the win for the Broncs to end Butte High’s weekend. She held the Bulldogs to just two hits.
Braella Jennings and Soraya Shirley doubled to lead the Senior offense.
Becker hit two singles for the Bulldogs. Schad reached on a walk.
Butte High will head to Missoula to take on Missoula Hellgate Saturday at the University of Montana stadium. The Bulldogs will then close out the regular season with three games next week.
Butte High will play at Helena Capital on Tuesday, play host to Helena High on Thursday and play at Missoula Big Sky on Saturday.
Central baseball hosts Florence
It will also be Senior Day Thursday at 3 Legends Stadium as the Butte Central baseball team takes on Florence at 5 p.m.
BC will honor its six seniors and their parents before the first pitch. Those seniors are Kelton Berger, Colt Hassler, Jack Nagle, Kelton Keene, Trapper Stajcar and the very dapper Tony Stajcar.
The Senior celebration will come two days after Tuesday’s 7-1 loss in Dillon. (Boxscore)
Jase Alvarez doubled while going 4 for 4 to lead the Beavers in the win. Garrett Tackett hit a double and a single, while Andrew Bartlome and Trenton Moreni each hit a pair of singles.
Cohen Hartman struck out 12 Maroons in six innings to get the victory on the bump.
Hassler doubled, and Gunnar “Goo” O’Brien hit two singles for the Maroons. Trapper Stajcar, Cohen Stajcar and Treigh Hollow also singled for BC.
BC fell 10-6 to East Helena Friday at Helena’s Ryan Park. (Boxscore)
An eight-run first inning gave the Vigilantes a lead they would not relinquish. Hunter Sutton scored three times from the leadoff spot to lead the way for East Helena, which got two singles from Kash Walker.
Berger doubled in a 3-for-4 performance to lead the Maroons. He drove in two runs. Beau McGree and O’Brien each poked a pair of hits, while Kelsen Brackett and Hollow each added one.
The Maroons will play at Lone Peak at noon on Saturday. BC will close out the regular season next Thursday and Saturday with trips to Livingston and Florence on Thursday and Saturday.
Bulldogs rope Vigilantes
Kodye Kjersten had a huge game to lead the way as the Bulldogs pounded East Helena 13-2 Tuesday at Ryan Park. (Boxscore)
The sophomore outfielder went 4 for 4 with a double and three RBIs in the win. He also struck out four batters in two scoreless innings to close out the game.
Hunter Davies picked up the win, going four strong innings. The game was called by the run rule after six.
Calvin Cunningham smacked three hits and joined Kjersten with three RBIs. Logan Carden tripled, and Cole Solomon singled for Butte high, which used seven walks and took eight beanballs.
Teagan Duffy walked twice, while Carden, Kjersten, Evan McEwen, Grady Foley and Brooks Vincent each walked once. McEwen, Solomon and Cayde Stajcar were each hit twice. Foley and Carden were hit once.
That win came after Butte High split home games with the Kalispell schools. Butte High fell 11-6 to Flathead on Friday. (Boxscore) The Dogs rebounded for an 11-5 win Saturday over Glacier. (Boxscore)
Chase Lubick pitched into the sixth inning to grab the win Saturday. He fanned sixth. Solomon got the last five out — three by way of the K — to finish off the win.
Butte High smashed 16 hits in the win. That includes triples by Cunningham, Stajcar and Carden, and doubles by Stajcar and Carden.
Carden and Stajcar each had a three-hit game. Kjersten, Cunningham and Duffy each had two hits. McEwen, Gunner Bushman, Troy Samson and Foley hit one.
Ryne Gillette hit two singles to lead the Wolfpack.
Hunter Fann smacked three doubles to lead the 11-hit attack for Flathead on Friday. Eli Coopman added two doubles, and Jacobe Sullenger tripled as the Braves avenged an early-season loss to the Bulldogs.
Liam Rech pitched the distance for the win.
Stajcar and McEwen doubled for the Bulldogs. Stajcar also singled, and Cunningham hit two singles. Carden and Kjersten also singled for Butte.
The Bulldogs are in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the Western AA as they head toward crunch time. The top two teams receive a berth in the Class AA State tournament, which is May 28-30 in Butte.
The Bulldogs will play at Missoula Sentinel at 5 p.m. on Thursday. They host Missoula Hellgate at 4 p.m. on Saturday before taking on Missoula Big Sky for Tuesday’s Senior Day celebration.
The Bulldogs will honor their seniors — Stajcar, Carden, Vincent, Lubick, Foley and Bushman — and their parents before the game. Jaxon Williams is missing his senior season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.
The Bulldogs will close the regular season next weekend against the Great Falls schools. They will host CMR on Friday before heading to Great Falls High on Saturday.
Tennis teams in action
Butte High and Butte Central will be in action in tennis this week.
The Bulldogs will be at home Friday to take on Helena High and Helena Capital, while the Maroons will head be home Thursday taking on East Helena at noon and Stevensville at 3 p.m.
Central played host to Lewistown last Friday. Jaylee Williams beat Kendall Tepper in a 6-7, 6-4, (10-3) thriller at No. 4 singles. That was BC’s lone win of the day.
The Bulldogs played Saturday in Missoula before hosting home action with Big Sky, Sentinel and Belgrade on Tuesday.
Results of those matches were not submitted in time for this report.
The ButteCast with Bill Foley 