Helena High edges Capital 9-8 in crosstown softball thriller

Helena High survived a back-and-forth crosstown fight Tuesday afternoon at Mihelish Fields, edging Helena Capital High 9-8 and giving the Bengals another hard-earned win in one of the city’s most watched spring matchups.

The difference came with Helena’s power at the plate. The Bengals hit three home runs, their most in a game since the start of last season, and that lift was enough to hold off the Bruins in a game that never drifted far from the edge. Grace Dobler went 1-for-2 with a home run, and Dakota Lieberg finished 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs and two RBI as Helena found just enough offense to stay in front when Capital kept answering.

The win mattered in the standings as much as it did across town. Helena entered at 4-9 and Capital at 5-8, and the victory moved the Bengals to 5-9. It also extended Helena’s recent hold on the rivalry. MaxPreps said Helena had won the previous meeting in May 2025, making Tuesday’s result the Bengals’ third straight over Capital.

That run gives Helena a cleaner sense of momentum at a point in the season when every conference result can shape the final stretch. Capital’s schedule listed the game as a road trip to Helena High School, and the NFHS Network had the varsity matchup set for May 5 in Helena. For a rivalry that pulls students, families, alumni and casual fans into the same stands, a one-run final feels bigger than the box score. One swing, one defensive stop or one missed chance can flip the mood for an entire side of town.

The series has also produced a range of outcomes in recent seasons. A 2025 Montana Sports report said Helena High beat Capital 12-2 in five innings at Mike Miller Fields, a reminder that the crosstown matchup can turn either lopsided or razor-thin. Tuesday’s 9-8 finish landed firmly in the second category, with Helena taking local bragging rights and Capital left to regroup before the teams’ next chapter.