Reds Split Double Header vs. Billings

On June 29, the Reds hosted the Billings Blue Jays in a double-header at Bill Connors Field. Glasgow fell to the Blue Jays in the first game by two runs, but finished the evening with a redeeming 18-8 win in the second contest.

Billings 13, Glasgow 11

In the first game of the evening, Billings exploded offensively right away with eight runs, and followed that up with a strong defensive showing that denied Glasgow any runs.

The Reds turned up their defense in the top of the second inning, preventing any runs with the help of a sweet double play. In their turn at the plate, Glasgow recorded four runs off a sacrifice fly by Kaden Fossum, an error that brought in two runs, and a single RBI by Cade Myrick.

The Blue Jays scored another run in the third inning, and denied any runs by the Reds, extending their lead to 9-4.

In the fourth inning, both teams had strong showings, with Billings scoring three and Glasgow bringing in five. The Reds' scoring drive was led by a three-run home run delivered by Myrick that brought in Nik Herman and Bryce Legare. Two more runs were added when Kevin McDonald hit an RBI single and Wersal scored on a wild pitch. At the end of the fourth inning, Glasgow had closed the gap, bringing the score to 12-9.

The Blue Jays scored just one run in the fifth, but also prevented Glasgow from bringing any runs in.

The Reds would score twice more in the next two innings while Billings failed to add to their score. It wasn't enough, however, for the Reds to pull off the win. The Blue Jays earned the 13-11 win.

On the mound, Brett Glaser, Alex Fransen, Fossum and Myrick all shared the duties, with Fossum pitching 4.2 innings.

Glasgow 18, Billings 8

With a strong offensive game, the Reds earned redemption in their second contest against the Blue Jays. Following two runs by Billings in the first inning, the Reds made an eleven-run statement to take the lead – a lead they would maintain throughout the game.

The scoring run began with a walk and a scoring error. A triple by Glaser brought in Myrick, followed by a single RBI from Darrin Wersal that scored Glaser. Facing two outs on the board, the Reds continued with a single by McDonald and a passed ball that brought in Wersal. A double by Herman brought in McDonald. Then, with the bases loaded mostly with walks, Legare hit a two-run double, scoring Herman and Chase Guttenberg. To cap off the scoring drive, Myrick hit his second home run of the evening, bringing in three runs. At the end of the first inning, the Reds led 11-2.

The Blue Jays put another run on the board, only to be out-scored by Glasgow when they took their turn at the plate. Myrick started things off with a line-drive single RBI in a play that brought in two runs when Legare scored on the throw. Wersal also recorded a single RBI before the inning closed.

Following a scoreless third inning, Billings tacked on three more runs and held Glasgow to just one run in the bottom of the fourth. The run would go to McDonald, who hit a triple then scored on a throw by the Blue Jays.

The teams traded runs in the fifth inning, both scoring twice. For Glasgow, Fossum scored on a sacrifice fly by Myrick, and Legare scored off a double by Glaser. At the end of five innings, Glasgow led 17-8.

The Reds denied the Blue Jays any runs in the sixth, then Legare drove in the game-winning run with a single to second base. Glasgow won with a ten-run rule score of 18-8.

Wersal earned the win for the Reds on the mound. He threw four- and one-third innings, allowing seven runs, five hits, and striking out four. McDonald recorded the last five outs to earn the save for the Reds.