Brock Vradenburg, Alex Fernandes Lead Range Riders Past Raptors

KALISPELL, Mont. - Brock Vradenburg collected three hits, including a first-inning home run, as the Glacier Range Riders defeated the Ogden Raptors 8-5 on Thursday at Glacier Bank Park.

Vradenburg finished 3-for-4, homering to right field in the first inning, doubling in the fourth and singling in the sixth.

The Range Riders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Kyle Ashworth opened the scoring with an RBI triple to left field, JD McLaughlin brought Ashworth home with a groundout and Vradenburg followed with a solo home run to right.

Glacier added three more runs in the sixth when Jacob Steele battled through an eight-pitch at-bat before launching a three-run home run to right field.

Cole Jordan hit a solo home run for Ogden in the top of the eighth, but the Raptors were unable to complete the comeback.

Aidan Elfering earned the win for Glacier, allowing two runs on eight hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked one. Jack Maruskin and Alex Bustamante each appeared in relief.

Nico Saltaformaggio took the loss for Ogden after surrendering eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits over six innings. He struck out two and walked one.

The Range Riders finished with 12 hits. Alex Fernandes led the offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the leadoff spot and stole three bases. Vradenburg, Carson Garner and Fernandes each recorded multiple hits.

Steele drove in a team-high three runs with his sixth-inning home run, while Glacier stole four bases as a team.