Daily Roundup: Game Recaps of June 14, 2024
Yolo High Wheelers 8, Northern Colorado Owlz 7
The High Wheelers started off hot, scoring five runs in the first two innings, two of which came courtesy of Jose Gonzalez's two-run blast in the first, to get out to a quick three-run lead. Then, a four-run bottom-of-the-four for the Owlz grabbed them a 6-5 lead with four hits and two doubles in the inning. Yolo would come back to regain the lead, scoring two more runs in the top of the fifth, and would hold on to it for the rest of the game, despite Northern Colorado's attempted comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Yolo's Jacob Stobart earned the win, after entering in the fifth and throwing 2.2 scoreless innings, which was his fourth in the year — tied for most in the league by any pitcher. It was the second night in a row when each High Wheeler in the starting lineup reached base safely.
Billings Mustangs 5, Ogden Raptors 16
The Raptors won their third game of the first homestand of the year by a large margin, thanks to three-run second and third innings and a shutout showing by the bullpen. The high-scoring affair started off with three home runs being hit in the first two innings. After the Mustangs took a three-run lead after the top of the first, Ogden took the lead in the third and held on for the rest of the night as five different starters recorded two or more RBI. Matthew Hess earned the win after going five innings and allowing four runs, and then the Raptors bullpen took over, as four relievers combined for two hits and no earned runs over the remaining four innings.
Great Falls Voyagers 7, Missoula Paddleheads 8
The Voyagers kept things interesting in a matchup that featured opposite ends of the standings, striking first and scoring consistently in the first six innings before going quiet and allowing Missoula to grab its second straight win of the series. After Great Falls tied things at two in the top of the fourth, Missoula responded with its biggest inning of the evening, exploding for six runs on five hits, including a three-run home run, and two walks. The Paddleheads held on to the lead from there, even as the Voyagers scored four runs across the fifth and sixth, as Colin Gordon's three RBI led the team and Missoula's last three relievers threw 3.2 scoreless innings. Ryan Major led Great Falls with three RBI of his own, going 3-for-5 on the night, while the bullpen shut the door on the Paddleheads, allowing for a slight Voyagers comeback, combining for 4.2 scoreless innings.
Grand Junction Jackalopes 6, Boise Hawks 3
After putting together two successful innings to start the game, the Jackalopes' hot start came in handy, as they were able to outscore the Hawks by three runs and come out victorious in the lower-scoring contest. Grand Junction's Josh Verdon and Cole Lee combined for seven hits and four earned runs over six innings pitched as Verdon secured the win and they set up the bullpen for success. Even after the Hawks put up three runs in the seventh inning courtesy of some small ball, the Jackalopes still held on to a comfortable lead and were able to shut things down after that. Hunter Bryan entered in the bottom of the ninth and allowed two baserunners but held on to secure his league-leading fifth save of the year.
Idaho Falls Chukars 7, Glacier Range Riders 15
Glacier's handy victory came courtesy of its 11 runs scored in the second and third innings, as the Range Riders never looked back and rode their early explosion to an eight-run victory. Five hits, four of which were singles, in the second, got Glacier out to a 4-0 lead. A successful double steal which included a steal of home and a two-run home run highlighted the third-inning success and secured the Range Riders' double-digit lead. Christian Kirtley's four RBI led Glacier to success while starter Cullen Kafka tossed four innings, allowing two runs and striking out five, and Keaton Carattini shoved for 1.2 innings of relief across the fifth and sixth to earn the win. Shortstop Andy Atwood would move from his usual position between second and third to take the mound in the ninth, shutting the door and earning the Range Riders' second win of the series.
Rocky Mountain Vibes 1, Oakland Ballers 5
After five and a half innings of a pitcher's duel, the Ballers struck a fatal blow in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs and never relinquishing the lead after that. A Dondrei Hubbard broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the sixth, which was then followed up by Trevor Halsema's three-run shot to give Oakland the first lead of the game. Rocky Mountain's Nick Powers went five strong, scoreless innings, before giving up a walk and his fifth hit of the day in his one-third of an inning pitched in the sixth, holding the Ballers scoreless for five innings. On the other side of things, Carson Lambert pitched six innings of one-hit ball, allowing only four baserunners to reach and striking out nine en route to a shutout win-earning performance.
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