Owlz Slug Their Way to Third Straight Win

It didn't take long for Northern Colorado to have the lead on Thursday night as Danny Perez, Euro Diaz, and Payton Robertson hit three straight RBI singles in the first inning. Rocky Mountain bounced back with two runs in the second, but couldn't keep up after a three run third, powered by a Jordan Rathbone two-run single and a Kevin Higgins RBI single. The Owlz were pulling away, taking an 8-3 lead in the seventh, but sloppy pitching allowed the Vibes to stay in it as two runs were walked in during the seventh. However, Northern Colorado stayed strong as reliever Cory Wills struck out all three batters he saw in the ninth to seal the game. Dakota Popham led the 10-run effort for the Owlz with three RBIs, and Perez and Rathbone each picked up two RBIs. The Owlz move on to play the Jackalopes while the Vibes host the Hawks beginning Friday.  

Grand Junction's Balanced Effort Defeats Boise in Series Finale 

The Jackalopes had yet to win two games in a row before Thursday's game against the Hawks, but that would soon change. Boise took an early lead off of an RBI single from Raymond Gil in the first, but Grand Junction would come back in the fourth with a two-RBI single from Joe Johnson. With the game tied 2-2, Grand Junction started pulling away in the sixth. Jacob Cruce hit a two-run home run, followed by a two-run seventh inning and an Anthony Ray pinch-hit two-RBI single in the eighth to round out the scoring. Grand Junction's starter Frank Racioppo pitched five innings, giving up two runs and striking out six, while the Jackalopes' relief pitching shut the Hawks down. Johnson led the game with three RBIs for Grand Junction. The Hawks will start a series against the Vibes while Grand Junction faces Northern Colorado on Friday. 

Glacier Outlasts Billings in Close Pitching Duel 

The North Division leading Range Riders looked for their fifth straight win going into Thursday's matchup against the Mustangs. Glacier got on the board in the first off of Kingston Liniak's RBI single, taking a 1-0 lead. The only other run scored came off of a Gabe Howell single in the seventh for a 2-0 lead. The pitchers on both sides kept this contest close. Glacier starter Patrick Miner pitched seven shutout innings, collecting four strikeouts and only giving up four hits. Justin Coleman and John Natoli each pitched a shutout inning in relief with Natoli earning his league-leading third save of the season. Mustangs starter Pat Maybach pitched four innings and did not allow an earned run, while the Billings bullpen only gave up one run in relief. The Range Riders have shut out the Mustangs in two straight games and look to do so again on Friday night. 

Raptors Explode for 16 Runs in Dominant Win Over Chukars 

After dropping a close game on Wednesday against Idaho Falls, Ogden came out swinging on Thursday night, putting up five runs in the second. Reese Alexiades and Logan Williams each homered while Nick Ultsch picked up an RBI single and Cameron Phelts reached on a fielder's choice. Leading 9-0 going into the seventh, the Raptors would bring in another seven runs, highlighted by an RBI double from Ultsch and a three-run double from Coleton Horner. Raptors starter Jake Mullholland pitched seven shutout innings, striking out seven batters and only giving up four hits. Horner finished with four RBIs on the day while Juan Teixeira had three RBIs and Ultsch and Williams each had two. Dakota Connors drew four walks and came in to score twice. The Raptors and Chukars meet again on Friday night.  

Missoula Takes Series Lead Over Great Falls in Shortened Game 

Jayson Newman-Dodd made a difference early Thursday night with a two-run home run in the first inning, getting the PaddleHeads off to an early start. Thomas DeBonville had three RBIs in this one off of two RBI singles to center field. An RBI double from Ryan McCarthy and an RBI single from Colling Runge gave the Voyagers some hope in the sixth, though it was short-lived. Runge led the Voyagers' effort with two RBIs, but the Voyagers weren't able to catch up. PaddleHeads starter Alfredo Villa pitched the entire game, giving up three runs and striking out four. Poor weather held this game to just six innings, with Missoula earning the win.