The Belgrade Bandits opened the 2021 campaign by winning three of their four games over the weekend.

Isaac Richardson, a senior at Manhattan, recently committed to continuing his baseball career at Dawson Community College in Glendive.

It was still early in the contest, but Belgrade had an opportunity to gain some much needed momentum Saturday morning. Missed offensive opportunities, however, doomed the team in a season-ending loss in Lewistown.

Belgrade has boasted a potent offensive attack throughout the season, but it sputtered at an inopportune time Friday in Lewistown.

Down five runs entering the seventh, Gallatin Valley pulled off the improbable Thursday in Lewistown. The Outlaws rallied to tie the game and extra innings appeared to be looming.

If there were any nerves Belgrade’s players kept them hidden Thursday morning in Lewistown.

THREE FORKS — With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fourth, Mason Jacobsen remained positive on the mound.

THREE FORKS — Coby Richards drove in five runs at the plate and scattered seven hits on the mound Saturday as Belgrade clinched a berth to the state tournament for the first time since 2018.