Late Push Falls Short in 3-2 Loss to Range Riders

FLATHEAD VALLEY, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads opened a 6-game slate on the road on Tuesday evening opposite the Glacier Range Riders at Glacier Bank Park. After winning 5 of 6 opposite the Range Riders in a 6-game series last month, Missoula would enter the series with confidence. The PaddleHeads had also seen good success opposite Tuesday night's starting pitcher for Glacier Jonathan Clark having found the win column in 2 other games he started in against Missoula. To say Clark would not be in line with what had happened in the past would be a huge understatement in what would prove to be a special night on the mound for the rookie. 

The Southern California native would take a no-hit bit into the 8th inning allowing Glacier to lead most of the way. Missoula's McClain O'Connor would finally break up the no hit bid with 2-outs recorded in the top of the 8th hitting a line drive down the right field line. This would lead to Clark being pulled out of the game. The crowd at Glacier Bank Park would rise to their feet in a standing ovation when Clark exited the game having been brilliant through 7 ⅔.  Missoula would go on to tally 2 runs after the departure of Clark to challenge Glacier late but would ultimately fall just short in a 3-2 loss in game 1 of the series. 

The Range Riders attack would tack on 2 runs in the early going to jump to the lead. Jackson Raper would vault Glacier in front in the 2nd knocking in a run with a double to make the score 1-0. Gabe Howell would knock in a run an inning later on a sacrifice fly to bring the lead to 2-0 in the 3rd. This would prove to be enough for Clark who would tie up the Missoula offense for a large chunk. 

Clark would control the game with an effective fastball over 7 ⅔ innings allowing just 1 run over that span while striking out 9 batters. Missoula would never tally more than 2 base runners in an inning until the 8th allowing Glacier to lead throughout. A push in the final 2 innings from Missoula would make things very interesting however down the stretch.

After O'Connor broke up the no-hit bid, Missoula would go on to tack on 2 runs in the top of the eighth to cut the Range Riders lead to 1. O'Connor would score the first of 2 runs in the frame on a single up the middle from Dondrei Hubbard. Hubbard would then score in the inning on a single from Josh Elvir to make the score 3-2. In the 9th, Missoula's offense would also come knocking at the door. O'Connor, Elvir, and Hubbard all finished the night 1-for-3. 

The PaddleHeads would see a pair of baserunners reach in the top of the 9th trailing by a single run. Justin Coleman would manage to pitch out of the jam however, earning his 8th save of the season to give Glacier a game 1 victory at home. 

Missoula (57-22) will look to get back in the win column on the road in game 2 of the series from Glacier Bank Park opposite the Range Riders (44-33). First pitch from the Flathead Valley is set for 7:05 p.m. Listen in to all the action on 102.9 ESPN MIssoula.