Range Riders still winless in second half

The Range Riders lost again to the Missoula PaddleHeads 7-2 in their home series finale at Glacier Bank Park on Thursday. 

It capped a home sweep by the PaddleHeads over the Range Riders,, who with a 7-6 knockout loss in Missoula Friday remain the only team in the Pioneer League that is winless in the second half of the season.  

Kaleb Sophy started the game for the Range Riders and pitched five scoreless innings before giving up a solo home run to Collin Runge in the sixth. Sophy finished the day allowing two hits and struck out eight. 

The Range Riders offense was held in check throughout the game, only having four hits and scoring two runs in the fifth inning.  

Cameron Thompson broke the 2-2 tie in the eighth inning with a three-run home run off Seth Pinkerton, his seventh of the season. 

PaddleHeads 7, Range Riders 6

On Friday in Missoula, a Range Rider comeback attempt fell just short at Ogren Allegiance Field. 

Down to their final out, the Range Riders’ all-time home run hitter Christian Kirtley launched a three-run shot to left field to tie the game at 6-6.  

After the PaddleHeads went scoreless in the ninth, the game was sent to the knockout round where Adam Fogel, the Pioneer League-leading home run hitter, secured the win against Glacier’s Chad Castillo. 

It was the fifth straight loss for the Range Riders, who are 0-4 to start the second half. 

Missoula finished the first half with the best record in the Pioneer League, eight games in front of the Range Riders. Missoula has won eight of 10 meetings this season. 

The Range Riders played again in Missoula Saturday night.