Range Riders Handed First Loss of the Year

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Glacier Range Riders fell to the Billings Mustangs 22-7 on Saturday night at Dehler Park.

Glacier struck first in the opening inning when Donovan Ratfield singled home two runs, and added another in the second on a sacrifice fly from Carson Garner to take an early 3-0 lead.

Billings responded quickly, taking control with a five-run second inning fueled by home runs from AJ Shaver and Adam Cootway. The Mustangs continued to add on throughout the night, including an eight-run seventh and a six-run eighth inning (with position player Logan Beard pitching) to pull away.

Jacob Steele connected on a solo home run in the third inning for Glacier, while Tommy Rover capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the ninth.

Despite the lopsided score, the Range Riders finished with 15 hits. JD McLaughlin and Carson Hornung each recorded three-hit games, while Ratfield and Rover drove in two runs apiece.

Aidan Elfring took the loss for Glacier after allowing eight runs over four innings. Harry Orth earned the win for Billings.

The Mustangs totaled 25 hits on the night, led by Cootway's seven-RBI performance.

The Range Riders and Mustangs play for the series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch coming at 1:05 PM in Billings.