It was an exciting state championship run for the Malad Dragon baseball team, filled with highs and lows that culminated in a runner-up finish for the 2026 team.  Throughout the four-game tournament, Malad showed steady competitiveness and resilience as they went up against the best teams in the state. The Dragons finished with 25 hits across 119 plate appearances, turning those opportunities into 26 runs while also adding 12 stolen bases to apply consistent pressure on offense.

Defensively, Malad held together well under sustained pressure, finishing with a .920 fielding percentage. While not flawless, the Dragons made routine plays to stay competitive and limit the damage in key moments of the game. 

The Dragons began the tournament with a strong 7–4 win over the Salmon Savages. After a near score for the Savages, Malad answered quickly when Easton Green doubled to begin the first inning, later scoring on an RBI single from Carter Carey.  Hudson Daniels added a second run to the score in the second inning, getting on base with a double before Green batted him on a ground hit to shortstop.

Salmon tied the game in the third inning, but the lead was only temporary as Ky Willie, Green, and Cale Briggs batted in Ethan Horsley, Daniels, Willie, and Green to widen the gap to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth.  Malad managed to hold the lead through the remaining innings, eventually winning 7-4.   

 On the mound, Kurt Ward settled in after the early innings, delivering key strikeouts to keep Salmon from gaining momentum. The hurler maxed out on pitches before Green came in as relief pitch.

With the first win behind them, the Dragons were set to play against #2 seed, the Orofino Maniacs.  Their highly competitive opponent came in swinging, making a statement as they led Malad 7-2 at the top of the fifth inning.  Malad worked to dig themselves out of the deficit, adding runs in the fifth.  

The MHS team was gaining momentum as Willie and Green worked the bases together to frustrate the Maniac defense.  As one would attempt stealing a base, the other would take off as well, forcing their opponents to decide where to make the play.  The cousins played the game right, Willie stealing home with Green following as Briggs hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring the score within three.

Unfortunately, Orofino continued to score, racking up nine as they played through the sixth inning.  Malad narrowed the game again in the seventh, adding runs by Briggs and Dawsyn Peterson.

Just a short time later, the Dragons were pitted against the Melba Mustangs in a game to decide which team would face the Orofino for a second time in the championship game.  Up to bat first, Melba came out strong to put up two runs in the first inning.  It wasn’t until the bottom of the second that Malad responded, taking the lead with three runs of their own. 

On base with a single to right field, Carey started the batting for the Dragons.  Despite two quick outs, Carey managed a scoring run to put Malad on the board.  Daniels hit a ground ball to shortstop, earning the RBI as Ward tied the game before Willie’s single punched Daniels in to take the lead.

It continued to be a defensive game as both teams remained scoreless until Malad added a fourth run in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Melba mounted a comeback, tying the game before shortstop Peterson ended the inning with a ground out.  The two teams continued to trade runs back and forth.  

But it was the bottom of the sixth inning that Malad claimed dominance with a string of six runs.  With runners on first and second, Carey stepped up to hit a triple on his first pitch at the plate.  In return, Ward singled to bat Carey in to set the score at 10-5.  With another single from Daniels, Holdyn Higley and Ward scored, followed by Horsley to stretch the lead to 5-13.

Saturday afternoon marked the championship game against Orofino, a game that clearly set apart the championship team.   In the bottom of the first inning, the Maniacs opened the game scoring 10 runs to take an insurmountable lead.  Adding four more runs in the bottom of the second inning, Orofino found themselves up 14-0.  

While their bats were hot, the Maniac’s defense was on point as well, keeping the Dragons scoreless each inning.  Due to the run rule, the game was called early in the middle of the fifth inning, awarding the state runner-up title to Malad.

After a strong season, first runner up was a bittersweet accomplishment for the team.  Regardless, the 2026 season was shaped by an impressive 24-6 record, with losses coming from teams outside Malad’s conference. Even more defining for the team was the measurable progress seen from one game to the next as demonstrated by losses dealt from March Valley and Preston that were later turned into winning games after adjusting, training and playing with true Dragon grit.