Drewek, Ballers overpower Range Riders

Davis Drewek hit a pair of two-run home runs, the second coming during a six-run sixth inning by the Oakland Ballers, who downed the Glacier Range Riders 12-2 in Pioneer League baseball Tuesday.

Drewek’s first homer put Oakland up 2-0 in the first inning; his second made it 6-1 in the sixth, an inning that included an RBI double from Michael O’Hara and an RBI triple from Darryl Buggs. 

O’Hara had three hits and two runs batted in for Oakland (8-5), and Buggs added two hits with three RBIs as the Ballers outhit the Riders 14-6. 

The Range Riders (7-6) had a tough time solving Oakland pitcher Luke Short and three relievers. 

Short went five innings, allowing five hits and four walks but just one run. He worked around two base runners in the second, third and fifth innings. He gave up an RBI single to Xavier Casserill in the first inning and fanned five Range Riders. 

Glacier got an RBI triple from JD McLaughlin in the ninth inning. McLaughlin and Casserilla both had two hits and both are hitting .345. 

The two teams continue their six-game series at Glacier Bank Park on Wednesday. 

Oakland    220    006    200    -    12    14    0 

Glacier    100    000    001    -    2    6    1 

Luke Short, Conner Richardson (6), Carson Lambert (7), Ethan Paulson (8) and Dillon Tatum. Noah Owen, Davis Pratt (6), Jacob Hasty (8), Noah Cole (9) and Angel Mendoza. 

OAKLAND BALLERS — Tremayne Cobb Jr 1-2, Nick Leehey 1-3, Lou Hlemig 1-4, Pat Monteith 0-1, Daviss Drewek 2-4, Cam Bufford 2-5, Christian Almanza 2-5, Daniel Harris IV 0-3, Esai Santos 0-0, Michael O’Hara 3-4, Tatum 0-4, Darryl Buggs 2-5. 

GLACIER RANGE RIDERS — JD McLaughlin 2-5, Gabe Howell 0-3, TJ Clarkson 0-4, Kingston Liniak 0-3, Xavier Casserilla 2-4, Kennith Levara 1-4, Efrain Manzo 1-4, Logan Beard 0-3, Antonio Barranca 0-0, Mendoza 0-4. 

2B — Almanza, O’Hara. 3B — Buggs, McLaughlin. HR — Drewek 2 (7). RBIs — Drwek 4, Buggs 3, O’Hara 2, Leehey, Almanza, Harris, McLaughlin, Casserilla.