Beaver twirls gem as Sens split with Mavs
HELENA — High aspiration ball clubs, regular-season and postseason rivals, last season’s state championship matchup, the Helena Senators and Missoula Mavericks are, by virtue of similar skill, good coaching and frequent scheduling, destined to bash heads throughout what figures to be a wide-open state tournament come August.
Saturday, the Senators and Mavericks met for the 12th and 13th occasion, this time fighting over each team’s Montana-Alberta Class AA conference openers with only two regular-season head-to-heads remaining. A June 24 contest in Helena now serves as the league rubber match, product of Saturday’s evening split under warm cloudless blue skies at Kindrick Legion Field.
Helena five-inning run-ruled Missoula 10-0 in Game 1. Missoula, now 9-4 against the Senators this season, shelled ace righty and single-season ERA record-holder Will Lyng with six third-inning runs in a 9-5 Game 2 victory.
Helena Senators right-hander Tyler Beaver tossed five innings of two-hit, shutout baseball during Game 1 of Saturday's conference doubleheader at Kindrick Legion Field. Beaver struck out two, didn't walk a batter, and needed just 51 pitches to navigate
Helena Senators third baseman Keaton Troyer fires a throw to first base during Game 1 of Saturday's conference doubleheader at Kindrick Legion Field. The Mavericks and Senators split the twin-bill. Gary Marshall, BMGphotos.com
Helena Senators first baseman Carter Perlinski finished 1-for-2 with a run scored, three RBI, a walk and homer during Game 1 of Saturday's conference doubleheader at Kindrick Legion Field. The Mavericks and Senators split the twin-bill. Gary Marshall
Helena Senators first baseman Carter Perlinski (left, #15) celebrates with teammates after mashing a three-run home run during Game 1 of Saturday's conference doubleheader at Kindrick Legion Field. The Mavericks and Senators split the twin-bill. Gary Ma
