Dinesen’s Miracle Catch in Left Saves a Win for Glacier

FLATHEAD VALLEY, MT. – The Glacier Range Riders (6-3) got back to their winning ways Saturday night with a 9-8 win over the Rocky Mountain Vibes (4-6). With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, a hot shot out to left field was snagged on a full extension grab from Mason Dinesen to secure the final out of the game and win the contest for Glacier.

Ben Fitzgerald opened the scoring for the Range Riders with an RBI in the second inning. In the ensuing at-bat, Matt Clayton went yard for the second time in as many games to make it 3-0. One inning later, Jackson Raper tacked onto the lead with a base knock. The Vibes scored two in the fourth, but then another run crossed for Glacier when Kingston Liniak doubled to left and scored Gabe Howell.

The Vibes then went on their biggest run. Two home runs and a two-run double shot the visitors in front with a 6-5 scoreline. In the bottom of the eighth, Howell started out with a single but was caught stealing right before a Crews Taylor double. When Raper walked, that put two on for Liniak to slap his first home run of the season over the left field fence to give Glacier an 8-6 lead. Clayton then followed that up with an RBI double that made it 9-6.

Things got hairy in the top of the ninth after five walks loaded the bases at a one-run game. With two out, Rocky Mountain lashed a hard shot to left field where Dinesen launched at it like superman to snag it for out number three. John Natoli picked up the first save of his professional career. Nathan Thomas was tabbed with the win.

The Range Riders and Vibes play a rubber match tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1:05 PM.