The Kalispell Lakers’ surprising run through the “AA” American Legion State Baseball Tournament ended Wednesday evening when the Billings Scarlets pulled out a 6-3 win in the semifinals. The Scarlets went on to beat Bozeman 7-4 to take the state title.
In what was initially thought to be a rebuilding year, the Lakers finished third in Western AA during the regular season before marching through the state tournament. The third-place finish was Kalispell’s best since 1988. The Lakers last won the state championship in 1978. They finished this season with a 37-24 record.