Range Riders keep rolling

Glacier's Gabe Howell (10) connects on a two-run home run in the fifth inning against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Christian Kirtley (1) and teammates high-five after a 2-0 win over Yolo in Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier starting pitcher Kaleb Sophy (14) delivers in the first inning against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier shortstop Andy Atwood (21) throws to first for an out against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier third baseman Christian Kirtley (1) throws to first after bare-handing a slow-roller against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier first baseman Ben Fitzgerald (8) hands a baseball to a young fan after the Range Riders 2-0 win over Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier catcher Freddy Guilamo (19) signs a bat for a fan after the Range Riders 2-0 win over Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Dark clouds move across the sky over Glacier Bank Park during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series between the Glacier Range Riders and Yolo High Wheelers on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier left fielder Chad Castillo (28) tracks down a fly ball against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier second baseman Gabe Howell (10) throws to first after bare-handing a slow-roller against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier reliever Noah Owen (32) delivers in the ninth inning against Yolo during Game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

by JOSH AMICK
Reporter | September 18, 2024 12:00 AM

Gabe Howell’s home run provided all the offense the Range Riders needed to win game one of the Pioneer League Championship Series 2-0 over the Yolo High Wheelers Tuesday night at Glacier Bank Park.

After fireworks filled the stadium during the team’s introduction, Howell provided the spark at the plate when he drove a two-run home run off the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fifth inning.

“It feels good, seeing this organization and this team built from day one” Howell said. “I have been here through it all and this is the best team we have had in three years. It’s great to be a part of that.”

The Range Riders pitching staff kept Yolo in check all game, with starter Kaleb Sophy going four innings, allowing five hits and striking out six.

“Our pitching has been phenomenal,” manager Paul Fletcher said. “They have come in done the job and executed the plan; I love the way they’ve been playing.”

Justin Coleman earned the win after coming in relief of Sophy in the top of the fifth. The combination of Coleman, Aidan McEvoy and Nick Zenga pitched three scoreless frames, striking out two each before turning the game over to Noah Owen.

Owen earned a two-inning save to cap off a night where the bullpen didn’t allow a hit or walk in the final five innings.

“We do have a good bullpen plan, and they are confident in it and believe in it, everyone is just doing their job and feels good right now, so we want to keep it rolling,” Fletcher said.

The Range Riders defense was also a bright spot, with great defensive plays by Chad Castillo and Andy Atwood saving two potential runs.

In the top of the second inning, Yolo’s Kirkland Banks singled through to left field and Braedon Blackford tried to score from second, before Castillo made a strong one-hop throw home to get him out by half a step.

The next inning, Yolo’s Brayland Skinner tried to advance from first to third on a slow chopper that forced Christian Kirtley to leave third base unattended.

Atwood left his shortstop position to cover third just in time, as Ben Fitzgerald made a perfect throw to nail the runner.

This was the first matchup of the season for these teams. Yolo advanced to the championship after beating the Oakland Ballers in three games in the first round.

The Range Riders swept the top-seeded Missoula PaddleHeads in two straight games, after 4-2 and 17-3.

Both teams are in the championship series for the first time, as Yolo is in its inaugural season. This is the Range Riders’ third year and first postseason appearance.

“We had a little cold spurt in the second half, but we have been doing the same thing every day and it’s now starting to click,” Howell said. “If we can keep getting good starts from our starters, great bullpen pitching and stay disciplined at the plate, we will be in good shape.”

The Range Riders host Yolo again Wednesday before heading to Davis, California, to complete the series.

Yolo 000 000 000 - 0 5 0

Glacier 000 020 00x - 2 6 0

Cameron Repetti, Ethan Bates (7), Kris Anglin (8) and Angel Mendoza. Kaleb Sophy, Justin Coleman (5), Aidan McEvoy (6), Nick Zegna (7), Noah Owen (8) and Freddy Guilamo.

YOLO HIGH WHEELERS — Brayland Skinner 0-3, Brylin Marine 1-4, bobby Lada 0-4, Jose Gonzalez 1-4, Braedon Blackford 1-4, David Glancy 1-4, Tanner Smith 0-2, Kirland Banks 1-3, Angel Mendoza 0-2.

GLACIER RANGE RIDERS — Ryan McCarthy 2-3, Gabe Howell 1-4, Chad Castillo 0-2, Christian Kirtley 0-4, Kingston Liniak 1-3, Ben Fitzgerald 1-2, Andy Atwood 0-3, Ty Penner 1-3, Freddy Guilamo 0-3.

HR — Howell. RBIs — Howell 2.