Welcome everybody to the Keeping Score podcast from the Daily Inter Lake and Hagadone Sports Network, I am Josh Amick. This week we have a lot to unpack, and it is a cause for celebration. The Range Riders officially clinched a playoff spot, we will look at how they did, what to expect in the second half of the season, a record-breaking performance from Christian Kirtley and yet another new face to the team. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Tuesday the Range Riders began a six-game series against the Boise Hawks and game one did not …

Welcome everybody to the Keeping Score podcast from the Daily Inter Lake and Hagadone Sports Network, I am Josh Amick. This week we have a lot to unpack, and it is a cause for celebration. The Range Riders officially clinched a playoff spot, we will look at how they did, what to expect in the second half of the season, a record-breaking performance from Christian Kirtley and yet another new face to the team. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Tuesday the Range Riders began a six-game series against the Boise Hawks and game one did not quite go as planned. After being tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the 8th, the Hawks would plate three runners and take a 7-4 lead. The Range Riders were shut out over the final three frames and the Hawks won game one 7-4.

In game two the Range Riders showed us again who they are, now last week I was saying how resilient this team has been in the first half and Wednesday was a great example. After the Hawks plated 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th to take a 5-2 lead the Range Riders immediately responded in the top of the 8th. Chad Castillo doubled to score two and later scored the game tying run on a JD McLaughlin sac fly. With the game tied up 5-5 after 9 innings played, the greatest rule in baseball came into play again the knockout round.

Chad Castillo was elected for the Range Riders and would hit 5 home runs, tying a knockout round high while the Hawks only hit 1 and the Range Riders took home the win 6-5.

Thursday, the Range Riders bats were shutout by the Hawks pitching staff as they only mustered up five hits and lost the game 3-0.

In game four, it was a different story as the Range Riders responded with 7 runs in the first three innings and ended up winning the game 10-6. Ty Penner, Chad Castillo and Ajay Sczepkowski all homered but it was Christian Kirtley’s home run that stole the show.

Kirtley hit a solo home run in the 7th inning to give the Range Riders a 9-5 lead. That home run was Kirtley’s 16th of the season, which is not only a team high, but that home run gave him 31 for his career in a Range Riders uniform which passed Dean Miller’s record of 30. Congratulations to Kirtley for becoming the all-time home run leader and helping the Range Riders secure a huge win in the series.

Saturday was my game of the week and for good reason.

Gabe Howell had a huge game, as he went 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs and hit a monster 450-foot home run over the centerfield wall. While Howell carried the offensive side, it might have been the performance from Montana Quigley that helped lead the team to their 8-5 victory. Holding an 8-2 lead in the fifth inning, the Hawks plated three runs and had had the game tying run at the plate before Paul Fletcher brought in Quigley. Quigley would strikeout the next three batters and retired 15 straight to hold onto the lead. That win officially clinched a playoff berth for the first time in team history and it was fitting that the game was won on the backs of Quigley and Howell as Howell has been with the team since its inaugural season.

With the team clinching a playoff spot Saturday on Sunday the team rested a lot of their starters. They would use six total pitchers, giving them a rest as well and lost the game to Boise 10-5.

That’s it for this week’s scoring recap, so let’s get into this weeks in case you missed it.

The Range Riders are going dancing for the first time in their three-year history. After finishing the first half of the season as one of the top two seeds they locked themselves in to one of the four playoff spots, regardless of how the second half ends. So, the Valley can rejoice as come September, playoff baseball will be featuring the Range Riders.

Also, in case you missed it, the Range Riders signed Kevin Johnson to the team after he was released by the Idaho Chukars. In 29 games with Idaho, Johnson hit .319 with a .448 OBP. He does not have any home runs this year, but he reaches base at a very high clip and should be able to contribute in the second half of the season.

Speaking of the second half of the season, it begins this Tuesday at home for the Range Riders and will be a great test as they face the team who finished ahead of them in the standings, the Missoula PaddleHeads. In their only other matchup this season, Missoula won the series 4 games to 2 in their home ballpark. After dropping the first four games of the series the Range Riders bounced back to win the next two and hope some of that confidence will follow them to this series at home.

That’s it for this week’s edition of the Range Riders recap, make sure fans make it to the ballpark Tuesday as I am sure there will be a lot of celebrating as the Range Riders clinched a playoff spot. For the Keeping Score podcast from Daily Inter Lake and Hagadone Sports Media, I am Josh Amick and until next time, take care.