Senators win on Senior Night, eye upcoming state tournament
HELENA — Man, time flies, and for the parents of five Helena Senators, it no doubt seems like yesterday their already-graduated high school seniors were those little kids swinging and missing at a ball on a tee or learning which base path to run down after a hit.
Monday, as the sun slipped down through the trees and over the mountains behind first base, the emotion of winning one final game at Kindrick Legion Field burned as bright red as the late-evening western sky for that group.
It was captured in one moment as Tycen Mooney – normally the Senators’ third baseman – walked off the mound and into his teammates’ embrace after striking out the final Butte batter in an 8-2 nine-inning Senior Night victory.
“Never did I picture myself even pitching on senior night,” Mooney, who had pitched just three total innings all season, said. “It was pretty special to do that tonight.”
Mooney is one of three seniors – along with Bohden Bahnmiller and Lance Bratlien – honored pregame Monday night who can return for a super-senior season in 2024.
Two other seniors – Walker Bennett and Luke Dowdy – cannot, meaning Helena’s 47th win of the season was their last inside Kindrick.
“Growing up here and playing here all summer every year is just awesome,” Bennett, the son and nephew of former Senators, said. “Then, you win the last one and it burns, but [at least] you finished with the win.”
Pictured from left to right: Coach Al Goebel, Coach Jon Burnett, Luke Dowdy, Walker Bennett, Bohden Bahnmiller, Lance Bratlien, Tycen Mooney, Coach Anthony Hogan. All five Helena Senators seniors were honored pregame on Monday as part of Senior Night fe
Lance Bratlien vs. Butte Lance Bratlien is pictured receiving a throw from center fielder Manu Melo that cut down a Butte run at the plate during an 8-2 nine-inning Helena Senators victory on Monday. Bratlien was one of five Senators players honored preg
Helena Senators shortstop Bohden Bahnmiller went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored in an 8-2 nine-inning victory over Butte on Monday. Bahnmiller also stole two bases and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning. Bahnmiller was one
Helena Senators' Walker Bennett pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Monday night's 8-2 nine-inning victory over Butte. Bennett was one of five Senators players honored pregame as part of Senior Night festivities. Gary Marshall
