Range Riders’ cold start continues

Things quickly got out of hand at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday night, as the Boise Hawks hit four home runs to beat the Range Riders 14-2.

After retiring the leadoff batter in the second inning, starter Tyler Clayton lined out a ball that deflected off his body for a single. Clayton remained in the game but gave up four straight extra-base hits, including a two-run homer to Micah Yonamine, before being replaced.

Things didn’t get much better from there. Carter Raffield, one of the newest members of the Range Riders, came in as a reliever for Clayton and surrendered a three-run home run in the next inning, giving the Hawks a 9-0 lead.

The Range Riders’ only offense that night came in the fourth inning, when Gabe Howell scored on a wild pitch and Chad Castillo batted in Christian Kirtley for their only RBI of the game.

After securing a playoff spot in the first half of the season, the second half has not been kind to the Range Riders. They have one win in their first seven games and are bottom of the table.

Manager Paul Fletcher believes the gruelling Pioneer League schedule and summer heat are taking their toll on the team.

“I think we’re getting a little tired, we’ve had two weeks of heat and I think when we secured a play-off spot everyone took a deep breath,” Fletcher said.

“You could see it because when we were competing, there would be one inning in every game and then, boom, it would go wrong.”

That big inning came in the second on Tuesday, when the Range Riders allowed six runs and couldn’t stop the bleeding. They’ve played 18 of their last 24 games away, and after a tough series away to Missoula, they took a much-needed day off Monday to regroup.

“That day off was huge for us, even for me,” Fletcher said. “Knowing we’re home for a week gives us a chance to get our strength back and our guys needed some rest.”

The Range Riders play five more home games against Boise before heading to Billings for a six-game series. With just three home series remaining in the second half, it could be crucial for the Range Riders to turn things around at home this week.

“It’s been tough playing so much, but when it comes time for the playoffs, it’s going to be good for us because we’ve got to play some of those games,” Fletcher said. “We just have to be better prepared for those tough runs; we know what’s coming.”

Boise 063 102 101 – 14 18 0

Glacier 000 200 000 – 2 7 0

Isaac Mendez (6), Evan Kowalski (9) and Nicholas Klemp. Tyler Clayton (2), Carter Raffield (3), Jack Lynch (6), Justin Coleman (7), JD McLaughlin (8), Andy Atwood (9) and Austin Bates.

BOISE HAWKS — Michael O’Hara 2-6, Micah Yonamine 1-5, Troy Viola 3-6, Noah Marcelo 3-5, Nicholas Klemp 2-5, Tyler Jorgensen 0-5, Bart Thomspon 1-4, Max Jung- Goldberg 3-4, Tyner Hughes 3-5.

GLACIER RANGE RIDERS — Gabe Howell 2-4, Ben Fitzgerald 1-4, Christian Kirtley 1-4, Chad Castillo 1-4, Andy Atwood 0-4, Ty Penner 0-2, Jerry Huntzinger 1-3, Austin Bates 1- 3, JD McLaughlin 0-3, Ajay Sczepkowski 0-0.

2B — Jung-Goldberg, Viola, Marcelo 2. Fitzgerald, Kirtley. 3B — O’Hara Jung-Goldberg. HR — Yonamine (13) Hughes (3) Clip 2 (4). RBIs — Marcelo, Yonamine 2, Klemp 3, Hughes 4, O’Hara 4. Castillo.

Glacier’s Ben Fitzgerald (8) hits a double in the sixth inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier second baseman Christian Kirtley (1) throws a ground ball in the sixth inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier’s Gabe Howell (10) hits a single in the first inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier reliever Carter Raffield (20) delivers in the second inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier right fielder Chad Castillo (28) catches a ball in the sixth inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier’s Christian Kirtley (1) hits a double in the fourth inning against Boise at Glacier Bank Park on Tuesday, July 23. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider