Keith Sell Tournament: Caton, Dolechek lead Laurel

The 29th annual tournament at Kindrick Legion Field honoring contributions of Helena’s longtime coach and general manager, it’s the first with an upgraded infield and pitching mound and synthetic turf installed down the foul lines.

Red clay marking his Dodger blue jersey, shortstop Pierce Caton soaked in Laurel’s seventh-straight victory as his pitcher, Reece Dolechek, pumped his fist, the game-tying run stranded at second.

A game over .500 following an 0-6 start, the Dodgers haven’t lost since June 14 in Miles City.

“We decided we don’t wanna do that anymore,” Caton said.

“We’re gonna play the baseball we’re meant to play.”

Laurel advanced to 1-0 in Keith Sell Tournament pool play and faces Lethbridge on Friday at 11:45 a.m.

Caton extended a six-game hit streak Thursday, reaching base twice, and scoring Laurel’s go-ahead run in the fifth. He swiped two bases, including on a play that knotted the contest at 3-3, and caught a seventh-inning pop-up that helped Dolechek wiggle free of one final jam.

A member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe and Red Lodge High sophomore, Caton was recently recognized as one the country’s top-50 high school indigenous baseball players.

His mother, Caton said, grew up on the reservation and struggled to make the best of a tough life.

He traveled to Atlanta to participate in the third annual Atlanta Braves Native American All-Star Showcase, back to a city he lived as a toddler while his father was stationed at a local Army base.

Caton, Montana’s only showcase representative, said he came within feet of hitting a home run during the Home Run Derby at Truist Park and started at third base for the Red Team in a showcase game.

“I just wanted to be there, show that people can play baseball in Montana and that we have a lot of talent here,” Caton said.

“It means a lot to me to represent my tribe and my people and to play baseball. Show that Native Americans are out there and they’re playing ball too.”

Laurel right-hander Reece Dolechek scattered seven hits and two walks over seven innings.

He allowed three runs (one earned) and struck out three.

Laurel’s Eric Haus finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Butte’s Anthony Knott doubled and scored twice.