Chinook romps to Babe Ruth title

Chinook's Babe Ruth team poses for a team photo Tuesday night. Back row from left to right, coach Darin Hamilton, Ramon Chavez, Thomas Reid, Tanner Ramberg, Dion hammett, Travis Roth, Conner McCalmont, Tyus Hammett and coach Scott Gunderson. Front row, from left to right, coach Brian Hammett, Wily Swensen, Travis Hamilton, Trever Reid, Gavin Gunderson and Cody McCracken. Not photographed, Ian Mcintosh.

Northern Montana Hospital poses for a team photo Tuesday night. Back row from left to right, coach Matt Jensen, TC Flesche, Parker Filius, Tanner Hentschel, Jeff Miller, coach Randy Granner and Kyle Gooch. Front row, from left to right, Jake Sedahl, Robert Sampson, Dane Jacobson, Ryan Bakke and RJ Lovenguth.

Chinook's Ramon Chazez takes a cut during Tuesday night's Babe Ruth championship game between Chinook and Northern Montana Hospital in Havre.

It wasn't the championship game fans and players were hoping for, but after a couple of delays and a forced if necessary game, the Babe Ruth baseball season has come to an end.

Tuesday night at the American Legion baseball field in Havre, Chinook and Northern Montana Hospital (NMH) faced off for the 2012 Babe Ruth title. Chinook defeated NMH last week to force an if necessary game on Tuesday night, and Chinook took full advantage. Chinook defeated NMH in dominating fashion, earning the 14-6 championship victory for the first time since adding a Babe Ruth squad into the mix.

Chinook took control of the game early on, and almost cruised into title position.

After leading 3-1 through three innings, Chinook exploded for six runs in the fourth. Cody McCracken had an RBI single in the inning, while Travis Roth had an RBI single, Dion Hammett had an RBI single and Travis Hamilton had a two RBI single. One run also scored on a NMH error, while one run also scored on a wild pitch, as Chinook pushed their lead to 9-1.

The big fourth inning gave Chinook the cushion they needed to play relaxed and finish strong. They continued to have hot bats, and added three more runs in the fifth and one final run in the seventh. NMH added just two runs in the fourth and, one in the fifth and two in the seventh, as NMH came up short in their comeback attempt.

Quality at bats at the right time were huge for Chinook and the win.

Chinook put together 11 hits in the win, including two in the park home runs. Roth and Gavin Gunderson both had one homerun, while Roth went 1-for-3 on the night and Gunderson went 3-for-4 with a total of two RBIs. Dion Hammett also went 3-for-3 with one RBI, while Thomas Reid had a triple, Cody McCracken had a shingle and Ramon Chaves had a single. Chinook also took advantage of four errors.

NMH did string together eight hits, but they didn't produce the runs necessary to stay competitive. Parker Filius helped lead the way going 2-for-2 with an RBI, but also got aboard with a walk and on an error. Robert Sampson also went 2-for-3, while Kyle Gooch had an RBI single, Jake Sedahl had an RBI single and both Ryan Bakke and Tanner Henshel both had singles as well.

Hammett was also the winning pitcher for Chinook, while Jeff Miller was the losing pitcher for NMH. Hammett pitched three innings before exiting with the 9-1 lead. Hammett grabbed three strikeouts and walked three while facing a total of 14 batters.

Babe Ruth Championship

Chinook 14, NMH 6

Chinook 300 631 1– 14 11 2

NMH 001 202 – 6 8 4

Chinook – Travis Roth 1-3 RBI, Dion Hammett 3-3 RBI, Travis Hamilton 1-3 RBI, Gavin Gunderson 3-4 2RBI, Conner McCalmont 0-3, Tyus Hammett 0-2, Thomas Reid 1-3, Ramon Chavez 1-3, Cody McCracken 1-3 RBI

Northern Montana Hospital – Kyle Gooch 1-3 RBI, TJ Lovenguth 0-4 RBI, Jeff Miller 0-3 RBI, Parker Filius 2-2 RBI, Jake Sedahl 1-3 RBI, TC Flesche 1-3, Robert Sampson 2-3, Ryan Bakke Dane Jacobson 0-1, Tanner Hentschel 1-1.

Northern Montana Hospital's TC Flesche throws to first during the HYBA Babe Ruth championship game Tuesday night at Legion Field.