Ranger Riders fall to Mustangs

BILLINGS — An early three-run lead slipped away from the Glacier Range Riders in a 6-4 loss to the Mustangs on Tuesday night in Pioneer League baseball at Dehler Park.

Glacier (12-7) built a 3-0 advantage through two innings behind home runs from Andrew Collins and Carson Garner before Billings (15-3) answered with six unanswered runs. 

A.J. Shaver tied the game with a two-run homer in the fifth inning before Adam Cootway added a two-run shot later in the frame to put the Mustangs in front for good. 

The Range Riders threatened late. Logan Beard’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth cut the deficit to 6-4, and Glacier put the tying runs in scoring position in the ninth before Billings reliever Carlos Anziani recorded the final out. 

Donovan Ratfield led Glacier offensively, going 3-for-4. The series continues Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. in Billings. 

Glacier    210    000    010    -    4    9    0 

Billings    000    141    00x    -    6    9    0 

Aidan Elfering, Davis Pratt (6), Alex Bustamante (8), and Donovan Ratfield. Julian Garcia, Jackson Betancourt (8), Carlos Anziani (9), and Kyle Micklus. 

GLACIER RANGE RIDERS — Andrew Collins 2-5, Kyle Ashworth 0-3, Tommy Rover 1-5, Jake Millan 0-3, Ratfield 3-4, Carson Hornung 0-2, Logan Beard 1-1, Joe McLaughlin 0-4, Cam Magee 0-4, Carson Garner 2-4. 

BILLINGS MUSTANGS — Cameron Bowen 1-4, Michael Soper 1-4, Adam Cootway 2-4, Demias Jimerson 2-4, Charlie Muniz 0-3, Micklus 0-4, Bodee Wright 1-4, John McHenry 1-3, AJ Shaver 1-3. 

2B — Rover, Ratfield. Bowen, McHenry. 3B — Wright. HR — Collins, Beard, Garner. Cootway, Shaver. RBIs — Collins, Beard, Garner, Hornung. Shaver 3, Cootway 2, Micklus.