Lightning Speed and Hitless Relief Fuel the Riders to their First Win Over the Defending Champ Paddleheads

Kalispell, MT. – The Glacier Range Riders (9-12) met the defending PBL champion Missoula Paddleheads (13-8) for the first time ever on Friday night, and despite an hour-long lightning delay, the hometown fans stuck it out to watch the Range Riders cruise to a 9-4 victory over the Paddleheads. A hitless outing by the three Glacier relievers and seven stolen bases by the Range Riders were crucial in the victory.

Missoula scored first on a two-run homer in the top of the first, but it didn't take too long for the Riders to get back in the saddle. After two walks in the bottom of the first, Dean Miller cranked a double off the wall in right center field that scored Ben McConnell. Miller and Brody Wofford would be brought home by a first career professional triple from Austin McNicholas. Finally, in his first professional at-bat, Justin Mazzone legged out an infield single that scored McNicolas. It was 4-2 after the first.

The Range Riders struck again on RBI singles from McConnell and Sam Linscott, but the Paddleheads responded with two in the top of the fifth. It was there where the game went into an hour-long weather delay, but most of the fans stuck it out to see the Glacier guys finish the game…and that they did.

Inheriting the game from starter Logan VanWey, who went 5.0 IP, with five hits allowed, four earned runs, and five strikeouts, Dawson Day made his professional debut to the tune of a shutout inning. Rookie Tanner Solomon then lit up the Paddleheads for two innings, allowing no hits and striking out three, before Justin Coleman slammed the door shut with a 1-2-3 ninth, including two strikeouts.

Insurance was added by Ryan Cash scoring on a wild pitch, as well as two bases loaded walks, one from Brandt Broussard and another from Ben McConnell.

The Range Riders and the Paddleheads meet again on Saturday night at Flathead Field. First pitch is at 7:05 PM and tickets are still available and can be found at: https://ridgerunbaseball.ticketsocket.com/#/event-list