The Helena Bengals will take on the Big Sky Eagles at 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Helena's pitching crew has only allowed 2.8 runs per game this season, so Big Sky's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Helena is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Montana's top teams: Gallatin, who was ranked tenth at the time (Helena was ranked fourth). The Bengals fell 8-5 to the Raptors on Thursday. The Bengals' defeat signaled the end of their 12-game winning streak.
Faith Howard
| 05/22/25 vs Gallatin | 7 |
| 05/10/25 vs Capital | 17 |
| 05/08/25 @ Big Sky | 11 |
| 05/06/25 vs Butte | 13 |
| 05/03/25 vs Flathead | 15 |
| + 13 more games |
Faith Howard spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and five unearned) runs on 12 hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in 18 consecutive appearances.
On the hitting side, Dakota Lieberg was cooking despite her team's loss, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, it's hard to turn regular season success into postseason wins, a fact Big Sky can now relate to. They came up short against the Broncs on Thursday, falling 15-5. Like the Bengals, the Eagles also had to let a streak go: they had won three straight, but that streak is no more.
Sadie McGuinn made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and fired off two home runs and three RBI while going 2-for-2.
Big Sky's loss dropped their record down to 16-5. As for Helena, their defeat dropped their record down to 17-3.
Friday's matchup will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Helena hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. However, it's not like Big Sky struggles in that department as they've averaged .395. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Helena came out on top in a nail-biter against Big Sky when the teams last played two weeks ago, sneaking past 4-3. Do the Bengals have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Eagles turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
