Let that soak in

The Glacier Range Riders are off to the best start in franchise history.

Glacier improved to 6-1 Tuesday night, holding off the rain and the Great Falls Voyagers 9-8 in front of an energetic home-opening crowd at Glacier Bank Park. Fireworks lit up the sky moments after the final out as fans celebrated the club’s fast start to the Pioneer League season. 

Despite collecting only six hits, the Range Riders kept pace with 10 walks drawn against four Great Falls pitchers. 

“It’s a great vibe,” Range Riders second baseman Logan Beard said. “The boys are just hot right now. Everybody feels great. We’re just coming out here, having fun, and it’s a great time.” 

Great Falls struck first in the second inning after Trey Cruz lined an RBI single to center before Antonio Barranca launched a two-run homer to left field for a 3-0 lead. 

Glacier answered immediately. 

Right-fielder Kyle Ashworth sparked the comeback with a bases-clearing double to center field that tied the game at 3-3. Two batters later, Beard crushed a three-run homer to left field that brought the crowd to its feet and gave Glacier a 6-3 advantage. 

Beard later credited Ashworth’s double as the game’s turning point. 

“I think I’ve got to shout out Ash in front of me there with that huge three-RBI double,” he said. “I think that was the swing of the game right there.” 

Ashworth finished 2 for 3. Donovan Ratfield had two RBIs and caught three Great Falls runners stealing with the help of Beard at second base, including a key out in the ninth inning. 

“You know, Donnie is great back there,” Beard said. “With his arm, he makes my job easy.” 

The Voyagers continued to pressure Glacier throughout the night. Kyle Schmack hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning before Aidan Redahan added an RBI single later in the frame to tie the game at 6-6. 

But Glacier responded again in the bottom half. Jacob Steele drew a bases-loaded walk before Ratfield lined a two-run single to right field to push the lead back to 9-6. 

Great Falls refused to go away, finishing with 14 hits and adding runs in the seventh and eighth innings to cut the deficit to one. 

Starter Zach Longshore earned the win after battling through five innings with six strikeouts. Alex Bustamante helped stabilize the middle innings in relief before Jacob Hasty and Jack Maruskin combined to close the game out. Maruskin earned his second save of the season. 

Even with the strong start, Ashworth said the clubhouse believes the group is capable of more. 

“It’s a lot different than last year,” he said. “We’re a lot more dedicated, a lot more fired up to work hard and give this crowd what they want.” 

Tuesday’s atmosphere reflected the excitement surrounding the club early in the season.  

“My heart gets pounding every time I get in front of this crowd,” Ashworth said. “This is the best crowd in the league, and I’m so grateful to be here.” 

The Range Riders continue their historic start against Great Falls on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled at 6:35 p.m. 

Great Falls    030    300    110    -    8    14    1 

Glacier    060    300    000    -    9    6    1 

Jordan Hamburg, Landon Smiddy (4), Eumir Sepulveda (7), Kevin Worek (8), and Antonio Barranca. Zach Longshore, Alex Bustamante (7), Jacob Hasty (8), Jack Maruskin (9), and Donovan Ratfield. 

GREAT FALLS VOYAGERS — Aidan Redahan 4-5, Vincent Temesvary 1-4, Tommy Specht 1-5, Ethan Ott 2-4, Anthony Manisero 1-5, Kyle Schmack 1-5, Trey Cruz 2-4, Barranca 2-3, Anthony Swenda 0-4. 

GLACIER RANGE RIDERS — Joe McLaughlin 1-3, Logan Beard 1-5, Carson Garner 0-3, Jake Millan 1-5, Jacob Steele 1-2, Ratfield 1-3, Tommy Rover 0-2, Kyle Singer 0-3, Kyle Ashworth 2-3. 

2B —Temesvary, Ott. Ashworth. 3B — Specht. HR — Schmack, Barranca, Beard. RBIs — Barranca 3, Schmack 2, Cruz, Redahan, Specht. Beard 3, Ashworth 3, Ratfield 2, Steele.