Four-Run Sixth Pushes Billings Ahead to Win Second Straight
The Billings Mustangs came out on top after a tight contest against the Glacier Range Riders 10-8, where the lead changed five times throughout the night
The Billings Mustangs came out on top after a tight contest against the Glacier Range Riders 10-8, where the lead changed five times throughout the night. Both teams got out to hot starts, scoring three runs each in the first inning, then shifting the lead to the Mustangs with Emmanuel Sanchez batting Mitch Moralez home. A pair of errors brought two Range Riders to the plate, but Brady West delivered a two-run homer to retake the lead for Billings. After the Range Riders took the lead right back with a Christian Kirtley two-run dinger, a four-run sixth sealed the victory for the Mustangs by capitalizing on costly errors and passed balls from the Glacier bullpen. The Mustangs have won two straight to win the mini-series and will aim for the sweep tonight.
Hawks 12, Chukars 1: Boise Routs Idaho Falls with 11 Unanswered Runs
The Boise Hawks made short work of the Chukars on Wednesday night with a 12-1 win, nearly shutting out their intra-state rivals. Ian Oxnevad pitched six innings with five strikeouts and four hits, one of which was a Trevor Halsema home run in the second, the only score the Chukars would see all night. The Hawks scored in six of the nine innings, including homers from Kenny Oyama and Raymond Gil. Tyler Jorgensen, Sam Olsson, and Kole Kaler each batted in multiple runs, combining for nine RBIs on seven hits. The Hawks have now won six of the eight Highway Series matchups.
PaddleHeads 13, Voyagers 4: Missoula Keeps Great Falls at Bay with Five-Run First
The PaddleHeads continued their streak against the Voyagers, winning their fourth straight and taking the mini-series with a 13-4 win. A five-run first inning set the tone for the whole game, as the Voyagers couldn't dig out of the hole and didn't score until the sixth. Alfredo Villa pitched six innings and struck out seven, only allowing one run on the day. The defense also stopped several scoring chances for the Voyagers, stranding 12 batters throughout the day. The Missoula bats were busy, as seven PaddleHeads batted in at least one run and eight recorded a hit, forcing Great Falls to rotate through six pitchers. Missoula continues their winning ways and forces Great Falls back to second place in the second-half standings.
Vibes 4, Raptors 2: Weather Halts Low-Scoring Pitcher's Duel in Colorado Springs
Before rain called the contest early after six innings, the Vibes recorded their third straight win and eighth win in the last ten to stay hot. A pitcher's duel started between Brock Gilliam and Drew Irvine, as both pitched five innings and allowed a combined nine hits. Juan Teixeira struck first for the Raptors, singling Reese Alexiades home. However, the Vibes capitalized off their teammates on the bags and delivered a three-run first inning to take the lead. Their lead grew in the fourth with David Martinez's RBI single, and after Dane Tofteland's RBI triple in the sixth, the game was called early due to rain, ending in a Rocky Mountain win. The Vibes have now won 10 of their first 14 games in the second half.
Owlz 4, Jackalopes 0: Northern Colorado Shuts Down Grand Junction as Lightning Stops the Action
An even shorter contest took place in Grand Junction, as the Owlz flew in from Windsor to shut out the home team. In the limited start, Mark Tindall pitched five and a third innings with five hits and two runs, enough to limit Grand Junction's production until a home run from Jaylen Hubbard in the sixth inning. The Owlz finally struck in the fourth and followed it up with five more unanswered runs, led by Abdel Guadalupe and Payton Robertson. Five Owlz drove in a run against the Grand Junction bullpen, which allowed more walks than either hits or strikeouts.
