Liniak Pushes Range Riders to First-Ever KO Round Win in Missoula

MISSOULA, MT - JD McLaughlin went 3-for-5 with a home run and two singles and Kingston Liniak tallied one home run in regulation and another in the Knockout Round to lead the Glacier Range Riders to a 5-5 knockout win over the Missoula PaddleHeads on Wednesday at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field.

Missoula jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Adam Fogel launched a three-run homer to left field.

Glacier answered in the third, reclaiming the lead behind back-to-back homers. McLaughlin's two-run shot to left was followed by a two-run blast from Liniak, putting the Range Riders ahead 4-3.

The PaddleHeads tied the game in the eighth when a wild pitch allowed the equalizing run to score. However, the Range Riders then found to the magic when Liniak came up after the nine innings ended all-square and hit a cruicial home run to put all the pressure on the leading home home run hitter in the Pioneer League at this point, Roberto Pena. The Paddlehead first baseman cracked under the pressure, hitting three balls to the middle of the outfield, one ball to the base of the wall, and his final swing was well foul. Not only was this the Range Riders first KO Round win in Missoula, it was the first time ever Glacier had hit ANY homers in the Knockout Round in the Garden City, a huge milestone for the squad's 10th ever win in Zootown.

Ty Bothwell started on the mound for Glacier, allowing five hits and four runs (three earned) over six innings. He struck out six and walked one. Nick Zegna tossed a clean inning in relief, striking out one without allowing a hit or a walk.

Former Range Rider Dawson Day got the start for Missoula, giving up seven hits and five runs (four earned) over 4.1 innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Glacier racked up 12 hits in the win. Efrain Manzo and Xavier Casserilla each recorded multi-hit performances, while the team also turned a beautiful 6-3 double play on defense with Kenny Levari scampering to second and tumbling towards first making an on-target throw.

For Missoula, Alec Sanchez and Fogel each tallied two hits. Fogel finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and was the offensive standout for the PaddleHeads, who also turned a double play in the game.

Glacier will have four more games in Missoula to attempt to go for a split. Trevor Baker gets the start tonight for the Range Riders at 7:05 PM.