Rangers Split With Wheatland Again

For the second time in two weeks the Laramie Rangers split a doubleheader against the Wheatland Lobos. This time they lost the first and won the second game.

On the road Tuesday night in Wheatland, the Rangers dropped the opener 6-3, but bounced back with a big 21-8 victory in just five innings in the nightcap.

Laramie manager Rich Wilson said, “To split with them (the Lobos), I’m really happy. It’s tough to come over here (in Wheatland) and play. He’s (Lobos manager Mick Cochran) always got kids just sharp and ready to go. We look at each other, and it’s kind of like looking in a mirror.”

Wilson was referring to the youth of both teams.

In game one, the Lobos scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for the6-3 win. Laramie took a 2-0 lead in the third on RBI hits from Nate Hill and Kacey Bernaski. Wheatland answered right back with three runs in the bottom of the frame for a 3-2 lead. A Bernaski RBI hit in the fifth got the Rangers tied at three. Then three walks by Laramie pitchers and an error helped the Lobos gain an edge. Daniel Chesser’s two-run single provided the final margin.

For the second time this season, Wheatland’s Kyle Pollock threw a complete game on the mound. He allowed the three unearned runs on six hits. Pollock walked only two and finished with nine strike-outs.

Taylor Dodd went five innings for the Rangers, but ended up the losing pitcher.

Game two was all Laramie. They scored five runs in the first inning and added six more in the second. That propelled them to an 11-1 lead, but Wheatland responded with six runs of their own. With a 14-8 lead, the Rangers closed it out with seven runs in the fifth.

Laramie pounded out 22 hits and finished with 19 RBI as a team. They sent 11 batters to the plate in the second and 12 got up in the fifth.

Nate Burman led the attack with three hits and five RBI. He had a pair of two-RBI singles in the first and second inning. Burman was one of five different Rangers with three hits in the game. Reid Baty added three hits and three RBI. Laramie also benefitted from six Wheatland errors.

Bernaski got the win in relief, as he threw four innings. He allowed just two runs, one earned on two hits. Bernaski walked one and finished with four strike-outs.

The Rangers are now 14-23 this season. Wilson admits he feels better about his team than their record indicates.

“We haven’t won the games that I think we should have won. We were right there, but it comes back to being a young squad… It takes a long time to build confidence, especially after losing. We’re working on it all the time, and hopefully it clicks the way it’s supposed to.”

Laramie returns to action Thursday with a conference doubleheader at Rawlins against the Generals.