In a thrilling crosstown showdown that had playoff implications written all over it, the C.M. Russell High Rustlers took a major step toward securing an automatic state tournament berth with a hard-fought 13-7 victory over rival Great Falls High on Tuesday at Don Olson Field.

Senior pitcher Gavin Gray delivered a complete-game gem when his team needed it most, shaking off a rocky start to shut down the Bison over the final three innings. Gray, primarily a second baseman making just his third start of the season, allowed only two earned runs while striking out seven and walking three. "He kept his composure and just competed," said CMR head coach Tony Forster. "Some things didn't go his way early, but he went right back in the zone and did a great job."

The Rustlers (11-5 overall, 8-4 Eastern AA) now control their own destiny for the No. 2 seed and the second automatic bid to the state tournament in Butte later this month. But this one wasn't easy—a far cry from their 17-1 blowout win over the Bison in April.

Great Falls High jumped out to a 4-2 lead after three innings, with sophomore Kolten Kolve driving in two runs and Jace Komac and Andrew Boutilier each adding RBIs. The Bison looked poised to flip the script on their rivals.

But CMR answered in a big way. Kayden Neil sparked a five-run fourth inning with an RBI double, while Madden Jensen, Carson Hollern, and Roehrich Soldano all brought runs home. The lead was short-lived, however, as Great Falls High tied it at 7-7 in the bottom of the fourth on a Rowan Garten double, a Beau Carnes bunt, and a key error.

That's when Gray took over. The senior held the Bison scoreless on just one hit over the final three frames, striking out four in that dominant stretch. "He's mainly been a second baseman, but he competed well," Forster added.

Offensively, the Rustlers took the lead for good in the sixth inning, scoring two runs on a bases-loaded error. They added four more in the seventh for insurance, with Soldano plating a pair, Hollern adding a single, and Jackson Maphies delivering a sacrifice fly.

Soldano and Dalton Heggem led the charge at the plate, each driving in three runs on two hits. Hollern and Neil also collected two hits apiece. For Great Falls High, Garten and Carnes provided the offensive spark, but it wasn't enough to overcome CMR's late surge.

"Our boys competed," Forster said. "They stuck with the game plan at the plate and did just enough to score runs when we needed them."

With two conference games remaining, the Rustlers are in the driver's seat for a state tournament spot—and they have Gray's gritty performance and a balanced lineup to thank for it.