Mustangs Shut Out in Series Finale at Glacier

KALISPELL-The Billings Mustangs were shut out for the first time in the 2022 season as the Glacier Range Riders broke open a scoreless game with a four-run sixth and held down the Billings bats as the Mustangs suffered a 5-0 loss in the final meeting between the Mustangs and Range Riders this season.

Billings (8-10, 33-31) was shut out for the first time in 139 games, dating back to June 13, 2021 as the Mustangs stranded 12 runners in the game. Glacier (7-11, 23-41) ended their season series with Billings by taking 7 of 12 at Flathead Field.

In the first two innings, both teams squandered scoring chances. Glacier began the first with a walk and single, but Billings starter Ethan McRae, making his Mustang debut, induced a double-play ball and a strikeout to end the inning.

The Mustangs had a promising rally in their own right in the second as a leadoff single followed by a one-out double from Jacob Kline put two men in scoring position with one out. However, a strikeout and groundout back to the mound ended that threat, keeping the game scoreless.

After that, both pitchers settled in. Barros allowed only one hit from the third through the sixth innings. On the other side, McRae retired 11 of 12 after the two runners reached to open the first.

In the fifth, Glacier mounted a serious threat, as two walks opened the inning. Austin Bates laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Abraham Mow dropped the throw at first. However, pinch runner Noah Marcello attempted to score from second as the ball rolled away. Mow recovered and made a strong throw home to cut down Marcello. McRae then retired the next two hitters to end the threat.

In the sixth, though, he would not be as lucky. After a pair of singles opened the inning, Brody Wofford unloaded on a 1-2 fastball from McRae and blasted it over the right-field wall for a three-run homer, breaking the scoreless tie. After a walk, McRae was lifted for Hunter DePrimo, who proceeded to walk two more batters to load the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly from Brandt Broussard brought in a fourth run, and Glacier led 4-0.

In the seventh, the Mustangs mustered one more threat against Barros. A one-out walk and a single from Crews Taylor put two on with two out for Jalen Garcia. On his 100^th pitch of the day, though, Barros blew a full-count fastball past Garcia to end the inning and the scoring threat.

Glacier added one more in the seventh as a two-out double by Sam Linscott drove in a runner, making the score 5-0.

In the ninth, the Mustangs mounted final threat, loading the bases on two singles and a walk, but Jackson Raper flew out to right to end the game.

The Mustangs will have Monday off before travelling to Idaho Falls for the first meeting of the season against the Idaho Falls Chukars, with a six-game series beginning on Tuesday. Both teams' starters are still to be determined. Pregame on Tuesday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:45 ahead of a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.