Steiner Slows Down Rock Springs in Rangers’ Win

Albert Steiner tossed a complete game to lead the Laramie Rangers past Rock Springs 7-2 in the Dooley Oil Classic Friday night at Cowboy Field.

The victory marked the 12th straight for the Rangers and gives them one more win than they had all of last season. They are now 21-11 on the season.

Steiner allowed only six hits in 98 pitches to Rock Springs, and they didn’t score until the seventh inning. He struck out eight, gave-up one intentional walk and hit three batters.

Laramie manager Brandon Ruckman said I thought Albert (Steiner) gave us a great game, especially with the wood bat.

“You’ve just got to pitch to contact at times, and he has a first-pitch strike percentage, a high strike percentage in general. He just really challenges batters to put the ball in play, and see what they have. (He) Relies a lot on the defense to play behind him, and I thought that’s what we did today.”

The Rangers scored twice in the first inning. After a double by Blake Moore, who moved to third on a wild pitch, he came in on Michael Schutterle’s RBI fielder’s choice. Caleb Eaton followed with an RBI double.

Ruckman added, “Our guys get a roll and get going early, and I like it. I like what they do. It is so much easier to play when you’re up runs, and it makes it just kind of a comfortable outing.”

Reid Baty’s RBI double in the fourth gave Laramie a 3-0 lead. The Rangers added a pair of runs in the fifth on a Rock Springs error and bases loaded walk. An RBI single by Logan Pickard and an RBI fielder’s choice by Jakob Ahrenholtz plated two more runs in the sixth for a 7-0 lead.

Laramie finished with nine hits, which included three doubles. They also drew six walks, had two hit batters and took advantage of three Rock Springs errors.

Seth Hymas started and took the loss for Rock Springs. Gunner Hamblin had three hits, while Josh Tepera added a two-run single.

Ruckman also said there continues to be a different vibe about this team, in a good-way.

“The seniors are definitely there, but I can’t tell you how impressive it has been for like the younger guys that have stepped up, done their job. I feel like this team absorbs what you’re telling them… They been really good at setting goals and working towards, like, hitting their goals. That’s fun to see.”

The Rangers will have one more game in round robin play Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against Green River. Match play begins Sunday morning with the championship at 1:30 p.m.