Record-Breaking Strikeouts and Playoff Push: Glacier Range Riders on Fire
This week on the Keeping Score podcast with host Josh Amick, we dive into the Range Riders' thrilling late-season performances. Patrick Wicklander makes history with a franchise-record 16 strikeouts, while the team rallies for nail-biting victories at Glacier Bank Park. Kingston Liniak and Ryan McCarthy continue to shine, driving the Riders toward the playoffs with clutch hits and stellar play. As the team heads into their final series against the Ogden Raptors, Josh breaks down the key moments and player moves that have set the stage for an exciting postseason. Don’t miss this detailed recap of the Riders' best ball of the second half!
September 3, 2024
MORE EPISODES
Clutch City: Ostyn Brennan Lifts Lakers to State Berth
Kalispell’s Ostyn Brennan delivered when it mattered most — earning this week’s Poster Player of the Week. In a high-stakes weekend series against the Lethbridge Elks, Brennan's two-out, walk-off double and go-ahead RBI sealed the deal for the AA Lakers. Kalispell swept the three-game set, punching their ticket to the upcoming American Legion State Tournament.
Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.
July 25, 2025
New Home Run King: Kingston Liniak’s Last Ride with the Glacier Range Riders
Kingston Liniak, a fan favorite with the Glacier Range Riders, opens up about breaking the team’s home run record, finding rhythm on and off the field, and why Montana feels like home. As he prepares for what might be his last season here, Kingston shares insights into what it takes to build team chemistry, play with purpose, and savor every moment on the diamond.
Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.
July 25, 2025
All-American Honors, Shrine Game Heroes, and Big Weeks on the Diamond
This week on Keeping Score, reporter Josh Amick spotlights Flathead’s William Hollensteiner, who added All-American status to his standout season with a dominant showing at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Plus, Glacier’s Owen Thiel, Whitefish’s Simon Douglas, and other local athletes post impressive results in elite track competition.
We also recap a packed week on the baseball diamond: the Kalispell Lakers AA and A teams, Libby Loggers, and Glacier Twins were all in action. And in the 78th Shrine Game, area standouts from Glacier, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls helped power the West to its fifth straight win. Tune in for highlights, player stats, and everything you might’ve missed in Northwest Montana high school sports!
Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.
July 3, 2025
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome everybody to the Keeping Score podcast with the Daily Inter Lake, I am Josh Amick. This week on the Range Riders recap, the Riders are playing their best ball of the second half, Patrick Wicklander sets a franchise-record for strikeouts and the Riders go into the final week of the regular season so without further ado, let’s get into it.
Photo Castillo
In game 1 at Glacier Bank Park, Chad Castillo bested Dylan Leach in the knockout round and the Range Riders escaped for a wild 3-2 comeback victory over the Billings Mustangs. Down to their final out in the 9th, Ty Penner laced a double down the right field line to tie the game at 2 a piece and Castillo brought it home in extras. Cooper Benson also had a great game, pitching 7 1-3 shutout innings and the Riders took game one.
Photo of Liniak
In game 2, Kingston Liniak hit a home run and drove in three runs to lead the Range Riders to a 4-3 victory. Jared Engman picked up the win after pitching six strong innings, striking out seven.
The Range Riders completed the three-game home sweep on Thursday, and it was my game of the week.
Photo of Wicklander
Patrick Wicklander who has been an absolute stud since joining the Range Riders etched himself into the record books. He set a franchise record with 16 strikeouts in eight innings pitched and Noah Owen closed the door in the 9th inning for a 4-2 win. The offense was provided by Ryan McCarthy who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and Ben Fitzgerald hit a two-run home run in the fourth.
They headed to Billings on Friday to start another three-game series and that is where their winning streak ended. The offense was held in check as Ty Penner drove in both runs and they dropped game one, 7-2. It was a close game until the seventh inning when the Mustangs tacked on three runs to extend their lead 6-2.
Game two Kingston Liniak went 3-for-4 with a home run and drove in four RBIs as the Range Riders used three home runs to power them to an easy 10-1 victory Saturday. Ty Bothwell picked up his first win in his second start with the team, pitching nearly 6 shutout innings and striking out 11. Andy Atwood drove in three runs, including a two-run home run and Freddy Guilamo added on a solo home run for an easy game 2 win.
In the final game of the series the Range Riders homered three more times, but it wasn’t enough as they dropped the rubber match of the series 6-5. Christian Kirtley started the scoring for the Range Riders with a two-run shot in the first inning for his team-leading 20th home run. Ben Fitzgerald, who is behind Kirtley for the team lead hit his 14th home run of the season and Ryan McCarthy continued his hot hitting going 3-for-4 with a solo home run.
That’s it for this week’s scoring recap so let’s get into this weeks in case you missed it.
This late in the season there are not a lot of moves being made by any of the teams in the Pioneer League, but let’s revisit some of the late moves the Range Riders made that had major payoffs this week.
In my game of the week starter Patrick Wicklander set a franchise record with 16 strikeouts and was a part of a flurry of moves the Range Riders made on August 6th. Wicklander, who has made it as high as AAA, looks like the clear-cut favorite to be the game 1 starter when the playoffs come.
Photo of McCarthy
Ryan McCarthy was also one of the players signed on the 6th and since joining the team he leads all hitters with a .390 batting average. Kingston Liniak re-joined the team on August 10th and in 20 games he has hit 6 home runs with 24 RBIs. Let’s hear his thoughts on the makeup of this team.
Audio clip of Liniak
Ty Bothwell struck out 11 in his last start and appears to be another pitcher in line to make a big impact come playoff time.
Looking ahead in their final series against the Ogden Raptors it is a great opportunity for the Range Riders to continue winning and take some momentum into the postseason. The Raptors currently have the worst record in the second half of the season so it’s a great chance to capitalize and get some wins.
Sometime next week the Range Riders playoff opponent will be announced, and they will host a playoff game on either Sept 10th or Sep 12th so stay tuned for that special announcement. For the Keeping Score podcast from the Daily Inter Lake this has been the Range Riders recap, I am Josh Amick and until next time, take care.