On Wednesday, in the 2023 Class AA Montana-Alberta American Legion Baseball State Championship Game, Helena put Billings in that ole familiar late-inning pressure chamber in a 2-1 victory.
The Senators, who went a perfect 5-0 at the tournament, are state champions for the second time in three seasons.
“It means a lot,” Senators starting pitcher Luke Dowdy said. “It was a great game. The defense backed me up and our hitters came around at the end and we ended up winning it…
“We did everything. We were hitting the ball at the end, fielders were making plays. I was getting them ground balls and they were backing me up.”
If Helena is trailing late and it gets a runner on base, it’s hard to keep the Senators off the scoreboard.
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Also for the second time in three years, they’ll represent Montana in the Northwest Regional Tournament in Gillette, Wyoming, starting next week.
It’s reminiscent of the three-peat Helena reeled off in the early-2000s under head coach Dave Thennis.
“It’s a testament to the youth baseball community in Helena,” Burnett said. “We’re involved in the Babe Ruth program, we get their state championships at Kindrick, so those guys get a taste of what it’s like to play on Kindrick Legion Field…
“Just continued support from the community and [we’re] really just trying to keep rolling what coach Thennis started.”
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The Helena Senators pose with their championship trophy after defeating the Billings Scarlets 2-1 in the Class AA Legion championship game in Missoula, Wednesday, July 26. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
Bohden Bahnmiller reacts after the Senators score against Billings at the championship game between the Helena Senators and the Billings Scarlets at the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament in Missoula. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
Helena third baseman Tycen Mooney tags Billings' Nolan Berkram for the out as Mooney attempts a double play at first during the championship game. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
Helena's Aaron Fuzesy reacts while holding the Class AA State Legion championship title as Fuzesy and the rest of the Senators team celebrate a 2-1 victory over the Billings Scarlets. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
The Helena Senators celebrate in a team huddle after defeating the Billings Scarlets 2-1 in the championship game of the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament at Lindborg-Cregg Memorial Field in Missoula, Wednesday, July 26. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES,
Luke Dowdy, left, leaps into the air as he celebrates with teammates Tycen Mooney, center, and catcher Cole Graham in the championship of the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament in Missoula. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
First baseman Carter Perlinski reaches for a throw from the pitcher as Billings' Kyler Northrop stretches for the bag during the championship game in Missoula, Wednesday, July 26. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
Helena's Walker Bennett was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the American Legion for his academic achievements after defeating Billings in the championship of the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
Helena pitcher Luke Dowdy reacts while holding the the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament championship title after defeating the Billings Scarlets 2-1 at Lindborg-Cregg Memorial Field in Missoula, Wednesday, July 26. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Miss
Manu Melo high fives teammates after scoring for the Senators in the championship game between the Helena Senators and the Billings Scarlets at the Class AA State Legion baseball tournament. ANTONIO IBARRA OLIVARES, Missoulian
