Valdez knocks out Range Riders Thursday
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 week, 6 days AGO
BILLINGS — CJ Valdez walked off the night in the knockout round Thursday for the Billings Mustangs in a 5-4 victory over the Glacier Range Riders at Dehler Park.
Billings jumped ahead in the second as Charlie Muniz homered to centerfield to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Kyle Micklus doubled the advantage later in the frame coming in on an error.
Bodee Wright then made it 3-0 with a big fly to center in the fourth.
Glacier found its first run in the top of the fifth as Carson Garner stole third and then advanced home on a throwing error.
John McHenry quickly restored the three-run Billings lead in fifth with a solo shot to left.
Kyle Ashworth tied the game for Glacier with a three-run blast out to right field in the seventh.
Neither team could find a winner in the final two innings.
Valdez crushed one over the left field fence in the knockout round to give Billings the victory.
Zach Longshore went 5 2-3 innings for Glacier, allowing four runs on eight hits including the three homers. He fanned four.
Jaden Harris started for Billings and tossed 5 2-3 innings, allowing just one run on three hits. He sat down eight batters.
Glacier and Billings resume the series Friday evening at 6:35 p.m.
Glacier 000 010 300 - 4 5 1
Billings 020 110 000 - 4 9 2
Billings wins in knockout round
Zach Longshore, Michael Byrne (6), Davis Pratt (7), Alex Bustamente (8) and Julian Sauger. Jaden Harris, Nate Roof (6), CJ Colver (7), Carlos Anziani (8) and Kyle Micklus.
GLACIER — Andrew Collins 3-5, Kyle Ashworth 1-4, Tommy Rover 0-4, Jake Millan 0-3, Carson Hornung 0-1, Alex Fernandes 0-0, Joe McLaughlin 0-3, Carson Garner 1-4, Julian Sauger 0-2, Logan Beard 0-1, Edrick Felix 0-3.
BILLINGS —Cameron Bowen 1-5, Michael Soper 2-4, Adam Cootway 0-5, Demias Jimerson 0-4, Charlie Muniz 2-4, AJ Shaver 0-0, Kyle Micklus 2-3, Jack Nehler 0-2, John McHenry 1-3, Bodee Wright 1-5.
2B — Garner. Bowen. HR — Ashworth. Muniz, McHenry, Wright. RBIs — Ashworth 3. Muniz, McHenry, Wright.