After winning 19 of 21 games, including the last 11 in a row, the Helena Senators dropped both contests of a two-game home conference series to Bozeman. The Bucks took the first game at Kindrick Legion Field Wednesday in 10 innings, and then Thursday outlasted the Senators 9-7.

The hosts had their chances in the second contest, outhitting Bozeman 15-14. But Helena left 11 men on base, in addition to having one base runner thrown out at home plate, and another tagged out at third base.

"It was a tough series. We're not looking real comfortable out there right now," said head coach Dave Thennis. "But in spite of the fact that we did quite a few things wrong, we still competed hard right to the finish, and gave oursleves a chance to win at the end. And Bozeman is a good team, they did a lot of things right to get the wins."

Bozeman improves to 20-8 overall and 9-1 in conference, while the Senators are 19-8 and 3-3.

The Bucks built an 8-1 lead after 7 1/2 innings of play, until the local group rallied for three runs in the bottom of the frame, and three more in their last at bat. The big blow in the seventh was Grady Stinchfield's RBI double over the left fielder's head, bringing home Jake Winslow. In the last of the ninth, Helena's three tallies were registered by Stinchfield, Adam Eckhart, Colter Sternhagen, Austin Rue, Nick Retz and Nick Trapp.

The home team brought the winning run to plate before Bozeman reliever Colter Joyce recorded the game's last out.

Bozeman was led offensively by Caleb Schlender, who went 3-for-4, with a home run and two runs batted in; and Kyle Britt, at 3-4, with a double and a pair of ribbies.

Andrew Abate started for the Bucks and went 7.1 innings for the win. He gave up four runs on nine hits and struck out four.

Winslow paced the Capital City attack, going 4-4 at the plate and scoring twice. Chris Nichols was 3-5, while Stinchfield was 2-2. Eckhart laced a double, and Sternhagen posted two RBIs.

Helena starter Nick Trapp worked 5.2 innings in defeat, allowing nine hits and seven runs, while fanning four batsmen. He gave way to Stinchfield, going 2.1 innings, who in turn was relieved by Sternhagen in the ninth.

Next on the agenda for Helena is a two week road trip. After visiting Miles City on Saturday, the locals will take part in the Battle of Omaha (Neb.) Tournament, from June 15-18. During their stay, the guys will attend the NCAA College World Series in Omaha.

On the way back, the Senators will play Sturgis and Rapid City in South Dakota; and then Butte and Glacier, before returning to the friendly confines of Kindrick to host the Bitteroot Red Sox on June 27.

"We're looking forward to having a lot of fun (on the trip) and getting back to winning some baseball games," Thennis said.

Curt Synness: 449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net

Bozeman 202 012 101 - 9 14 0

Helena 100 000 303 - 7 15 2

Andrew Abate, Colter Joyce (8) and Andy Ballinger; Nick Trapp, Grady Stinchfield (6), Colter Sternhagen (9) and Adam Eckhart. W - Abate, L - Trapp.

Bucks (20-8, 9-1) - Ethan Wilkes 1-5, Brendan Phillips 0-4, Caleb Schlender 3-4, Anthony Rinard 1-5, Kyle Britt 3-4, Ballinger 2-4, Joyce 1-5, Jamin Weidenaar 1-5, Ben Leister 2-5.

Senators (19-8, 3-3) - Corey Scevers 1-5, Jake Winslow 4-4, Anthony Hogan 1-3, Stinchfield 2-2, Eckhart 1-5, Colter Sternhagen 1-4, Austin Rue 1-5, Nick Retz 0-3, Grant Wise 1-2, Trapp 0-1, Chris Nichols 3-5.

2B - Rinard, Britt, Ballinger, Leister, Stinchfield, Eckhart; HR - Schlender; RBIs - Schlender 2, Britt 2, Phillips, Ballinger, Weidenaar, Leister, Sternhagen 2, Winslow, Stinchfield, Rue, Trapp