Ryan, Godsey shine as Bulldogs walk off Lions

WHITEFISH — Finn Ryan delivered the walk-off hit Tuesday night as Whitefish rallied past Eureka 4-3 in a Northwest A matchup at Smith Fields.

But the night belonged just as much to Carter Godsey.

The Bulldog shortstop and relief pitcher finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, scored twice and later worked out of trouble in the seventh inning to help Whitefish (11-6) close out the win.

Ryan lined the game-winning single to shallow center field in the bottom of the seventh to score Godsey and send Whitefish pouring out of the dugout. Earlier in the game, Ryan also came around to score Whitefish’s first run after reaching on an error in the opening inning.

“I’ve done it before this season,” Ryan said. “Whenever I’m in this situation I just look for the fastball and hit it.”

Reyd Hobart also played a major role behind the plate for Whitefish, throwing out two Eureka (9-6) runners attempting to steal and keeping little to nothing past him all game.

“It was a really gutsy performance by us,” Whitefish coach Kyler Blades said. “That’s a quality Class A club in Eureka, and we just gritted it out today.”

Tait Orme worked six innings for Whitefish, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out eight. Eureka starter Leif Burow matched him early, allowing one unearned run over four innings while striking out four.

Eureka grabbed momentum in the third inning when Tyce Van Orden ripped an RBI double to left field before Rogan Lytle followed with an RBI single to put the Lions ahead 2-1. Van Orden struck again in the fifth with another double before later scoring to extend the lead to 3-1.

Whitefish answered immediately in the bottom half. Godsey opened the inning with a double before Reed Boyer added another extra-base hit. Later in the inning, Orme lined a two-run double to center field to even the score at 3-3.

“We’ve talked a lot about how May is the month that matters,” Blades said. “We’re going to peak at the right time.”

“Like coach said, we’re trying to step up this month,” Godsey said. “That’s what matters and we went out and played to our ability.”

Eureka 002 010 0 - 3 5 1

Whitefish 100 020 1 - 4 11 2

Tait Orme, Carter Godsey (7), and Reyd Hobart. Leif Burow, Rowan Burow (5), and Tyce Van Orden.

EUREKA — Chapman 0-2, Van Orden 2-3, Rogan Lytle 2-4, R Burow 0-2, Emmet McKim 0-3, L Burow 0-3, Logan Cuffe 0-3, Colter White 0-3, Tristan Libby 1-2.

WHITEFISH — Drew Queen 0-4, Godsey 3-3, Orme 2-4, Finn Ryan 1-3, Hobart 1-3, Gavin Knapp 0-2, Collison Lewis 0-1, Luke Dalen 1-3, Cullen Wallace 1-2, Reed Boyer 2-3.

2B — Godsey 2, Van Orden 2, Boyer, Orme. RBI — Lytle 2, Godsey, Orme, Ryan, Van Orden.

Reporter Luke Schmit can be reached at 406-758-4441 or lschmit@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at .