Staying Alive as Number 5

The Glasgow Reds finished up their regular season with two extra games on Sunday against the Glendive Blue Devils. They swept the doubleheader to finish with a conference record of 15-13 after a whirlwind week of regular season play.

The two wins on Sunday put the Reds in the fifth seed slot heading into the East A District Tournament, which begins this Thursday, July 22, and runs through Sunday, July 25. All games will be played at Bob Connors Field at Sullivan Park in Glasgow. Glasgow will play the last game of the first day of the tournament, facing off again against the Glendive Blue Devils on Thursday at 5 p.m. Their game follows the opening ceremony which is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., or immediately after game three in which the number one seeded Laurel Dodgers face the eighth seed Wolf Point Yellow Jackets.

Tournament action begins at 9 a.m. On Thursday when the Blue Jays, #3, and Cardinals, #6, of Billings square off. Game two will see the Miles City Mavericks, #2, take on the Froid Post 49 Bulls, #7.

In their final week of regular play, Glasgow took on the Post 49 Bulls, winning both games, before punching up against the higher seeded teams, Miles City, Laurel and Glendive. They split their home doubleheaders against Miles City and Laurel before ending their week with two solid victories over Glendive, again in front of a home team crowd.

The Reds took both games in Froid last Tuesday, winning the first of the doubleheader by a 4-2 margin before returning to the field to win by double digits, 15-3.

Glasgow lit up the scoreboard first in game one when Calvin Bengochea hit a pop fly home run to left field. The Post 49 Bulls answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Glasgow regained the lead in their next at bat when Riley Smith crossed home plate on a passed ball with Juliun Benson at bat.

The Bulls pulled even again in the bottom of the fifth before the Reds put up one run each in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win. Post 49 sent Tel Aune across the plate when the their pitcher walked Bengochea with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. JT Sprague completed his trip around the bases when Mark Eliason connected on a sacrifice fly to center field in the seventh.

Sprague earned the win for the Reds on the mound, going five innings. He allowed two runs on one hit while throwing a 60.0 strike percentage with six strikeouts. Juliun Benson threw for two innings out of the bull pen. The relief pitcher allowed no runs on three hits while throwing a 55.2 strike percentage as he earned the save.

Bengochea went 1-for-2 to lead the Reds at the plate while adding two RBIs. Rance Rhoads went 1-for-1 at bat and Eliason added an RBI for Glasgow. Bengochea and Smith each had a stole base.

Glasgow took an early lead in the first inning of the second game and never allowed Post 49 back in to the game. Four Reds crossed home plate in the first inning while the defense kept the home team off the scoreboard. Aune was first over the plate, scoring on a Tatum Hansen ground ball. Hansen scored on a Sprague sacrifice fly to center field. Bengochea took advantage of an error by the Bulls' catcher to put up Glasgow's third run and Jeramiah Benson touched home on a Walker Laumeyer single ground ball.

The Bulls kept Glasgow from scoring in the second inning, while notching a run on their line fo the scoreboard. Glasgow answered by putting up a run in each of the third, fourth and fifth inning. Jordan Plummer put up the run in the third, scoring on an Aune ground ball. Juliun Benson scored in the fourth inning, crossing home when Jeramiah Bensen nailed a single line drive to left field. The fifth inning run came from Aune, who scored when Juliun Benson grounded into a fielder's choice.

Glasgow increased their lead by two runs in the sixth inning. Juliun Benson scored again when he took advantage of a wild pitch to cross the plate with Smith at bat and Aune batted in Plummer with a ground hit.

The Reds lit up the scoreboard six times in their last go-round at bat. Juliun Benson scored on a a Jeramiah Benson sacrfice fly to start the Reds' scoring spree. Bengochea scored on a passed ball to keep it going. Sprague was next across the plate, scoring on a Smith ground ball. Mason Hunter scored on an Aune ground ball in the next at bat. Juliun Benson batted in Plummer and smith with a single ground ball ro wrap up Glasgow's offense. Froid put up two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the 15-3 final score.

Rhoads took the win from the mound for Glasgow, pitching for six and two-thirds innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits while throwing a 62.0 strike percentage with five strikeouts. Jeramiah Benson finished the game for Glasgow, allowing no runs or hits.

Juliun Benson notched three RBIs to lead Glasgow while Aune and Jeramiah Benson added two each. Bengochea and Smith each had two hits to lead the Reds to their nine game hits. Jeramiah Benson stole two bases in the game while Juliun Benson, Plummer and Sprague had one stolen base each.

On Thursday, Glasgow hosted the Miles City Mavericks. The Reds split the games with their guests, dropping the first 13-3 before storming back to win the second by a 7-6 margin.

Miles City arrived in Glasgow ready to play. They ran up the score early, putting up five runs in the top of the first, followed by five more in the second while denying the Reds any runs.

The Mavericks put up three more runs in the top of the third before Glasgow sent two runners home in the bottom of the innings. Smith scored first on an error by the Mavericks' first baseman and Hansen was right behind him, crossing the plate on a passed ball with Juliun Benson at the plate. Sprague scored in the bottom of the fourth when Hansen was hit by a pitch, advancing the runners.

But the runs were not enough to get Glasgow back in the game and play ended after the fifth inning. Elisaon took the loss for Glasgow, allowing 10 runs on one hit over one and two-thirds innings. Jack Kolstad allowed three run son no hits in his time on the mound. Laumeyer and Hansen each gave up a hit but no runs while pitching for Glasgow.

Hansen was 2-for-2 at bat to lead the Reds in hits while getting the lone RBI. Smith and Juliun Benson had two stolen bases each while Jeramiah Benson had one.

The teams hit the field again for the second of a doubleheader in which a sixth-inning run by Glasgow earned them the win.

Miles City opened the game with three runs, but this time Glasgow was quick to answer, sending four runners home in the bottom of the first. Aune was first to round the bases, scoring on a Juliun Benson single ground ball. Sprauge nailed double on a fly ball and sent Juliun Benson and Bengochea home in the process. He scored himself on the next batter when Rhoads singled on a line drive to right field.

Innings two and three saw no runners make it around the bases but Miles City notched a run in the top of the fourth to tie the game. But Glasgow scored twice in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead. Sprague nailed a home run fly ball to left field in the Reds' first at bat in the inning. Smith notched the second run of the inning, crossing home on a Juliun Benson ground ball.

The Mavericks scored twice in the top of the fifth to tie the game at six runs a piece before keeping Glasgow off the scoreboard in the the bottom of the inning. The Reds returned the favor in the top of the sixth before scoring what would turn out to be the game-winning run. Juliun Bensen batted in Hansen on a single line drive to center field. Glasgow then shut down Miles City with a three-up, three-down top of the seventh.

Plummer earned the win for Glasgow, going all seven innings on the mound. He allowed eight runs on six hits while throwing a 65.1 strike percentage. Sprague went 2-for-2 at bat and led the Reds with three RBIs. Juliun Benson added two RBIs while going 2-for-4 at the plate.

On Saturday, Glasgow hosted the Laurel Dodgers for a pair of games. Glasgow started strong against the visitors, but a late surge by Laurel gave them the definitive 21-5 win before the Reds found revenge with a 12-11 victory in game two over arguably the best team in the league.

Glasgow took an early lead in game one, putting up runs in the first and second innings while they prevented Laurel from scoring. Aune was first to round home, scoring on a passed ball with Bengochea at bat and Hansen followed him with Juliun Benson at bat in the first. After sending Laurel back to the outfield on their second three-up, three-down at bat, Glasgow added a third run to their score. Sprague scored on the throw that took out Aune at first base.

Roles reversed as Laurel scored oncce in the third and once in the fourth while keeping Glasgow off the scoreboard. The fifth inning saw neither team put up a run. Laurel then took control of the game, putting up seven run s in the sixth and 12 in the seventh while holding Glasgow to a single run in each of their final at bats. Hansen scored on a Sprague single in the sixth and Plummer scored in the seventh on a Hansen double to center field.

Hunter took the loss for the Reds, pitching five innings before Glasgow cycled in three relief pitchers. He allowed eight runs on six hits over five innings while throwing a 55.2 strike percentage. Aune pitched for one inning, allowing four runs on two hits and throwing a 59.1 strike percentage. Jeramiah Benson allowed seven runs on three hits over one-third of an inning and Bengochea allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.

Aune went 2-for-3 at bat with one RBI to lead the Reds. Hansen and Sprague also added an RBI each.

Glasgow returned to the field triumphantly in game two, racking up 10 runs in the first inning alone to take an early lead after allowing the Dodgers to send two runners home in the top of the inning. Aune and Hansen tied the game on a Juliun Benson double, which turned into a triple on the throw. Juliun Benson finished his trip around the bases when Jeramiah Benson nailed single to shortstop. Jeramiah Benson rounded the plate on an Eliason single fly ball to right field.

Eliason scored on an Aune single to center field and Laumeyer also scored on the passed ball as Aune advanced to second. Aune scored on a Juliun Benson ground ball. Hansen touched home on an error by the Dodgers' first baseman with Rhoads at bat and Juliun Benson scored when Rhoads doubled on a line drive to right field.

The Reds maintained the lead as the Dodgers put up two runs in the second and five in the fourth all while keeping the home team off the scoreboard. Neither team managed a run in the fifth. Glasgow put up two more runs in the bottom of the sixth after shutting Laurel in the top of the inning. Rhoads singled on a ground ball to center field, sending Hansen home and Juliun Benson scored on a passed ball with Eliason at bat. Glasgow allowed Laurel two more runs in the seventh but held on to a one-run lead for the win.

Aiden Price earned the win for Glasgow, allowing five runs on two hits over one and two-thirds innings and throwing a 43.4 strike percentage. He relieved Hansen, who started the game and pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on one hit. Smith earned the save for the Reds, pitching three and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on two hits with a 66.0 strike percentage. He notched the last 11 outs for Glasgow.

Jeramiah Benson, Juliun Benson and Rhoads each had two hits to lead the Reds at bat. Aune, Juliun Benson and Rhoads had two RBIs a piece in the game.

Sunday the Reds returned to the field and the heat to host the Glendive Blue Devils in a battle for tournament standing. Glasgow came out on top, winning both games of the doubleheader by wide margins – 10-3 and 18-8.

Glasgow took the 1-0 lead after the first inning was played in game one when Sprague took advantage of an error by the Blue Devils' catcher to put the Reds on the scoreboard. Glendive briefly took the lead when they sent two runners home in the top of the third, but the Reds responded strongly with four runs in the third and fourth innings.

Sprague scored again for Glasgow in the third when Bengochea hit a single line drive. Kolstad also hit a single line drive to send Rhoads home. Bengochea crossed home when Glendive walked Smith, advancing the runners and Plummer rounded home when Aune grounded out into a fielder's choice in the bottom of the third.

In the fourth, Sprague again kicked off the Reds' scoring, rounding home on a Jeramiah Benson single to left field. Juliun Benson scored on a Bengochea double fly ball in the next at bat. Jeramiah Benson completed his trip through the base path when Smith hit a line drive. Bengochea took advantage of an error by the Glendive center fielder to score with Aune at bat to conclude the Reds' fourth inning scoring streak.

Glendive put up a run in the top of the fifth, but Sprague answered when Jeramiah Benson hit a fly out to center field, allowing Glasgow to maintain their seven-run lead. The remainder of the game produced no more runs for either team as the Reds claimed victory.

Bengochea led the Reds with two RBIs and going 2-for-4 at bat. Aune, Jeramiah Benson, Kolstad and Smith each added an RBI for Glasgow. Juliun Benson had a stolen base while Sprague had two on his way to scoring four runs.

In addition to leading the Reds in scoring, Sprague was the winning pitcher, going four innings for Glasgow. He allowed two runs on three hits while throwing a 71.8 strike percentage and throwing three strikeouts. He was relieved by Rhoads, who threw for three innings. He allowed one run on four hits while throwing a 70.2 strike percentage. He earned the save for Glasgow after recording the last nine outs.

Back on the field and in the heat, Glasgow lit up the scoreboard. Glendive scored one run in the top of the first, but the Reds answered with two to take the early lead. Aune scored on a passed ball with Jeramiah Benson at bat and Juliun Benson crossed home on a passed ball as well with Bengochea at the plate.

The Reds kept the Blue Devils off the scoreboard in the top of the second, then added three more runs to their score. Kolstad scored on a passed ball with Aune at bat while Juliun Benson batted in Laumeyer and Sprague with a single fly ball to center field.

Glendive found life in the top of the third when the racked up six runs. Their lead was short-lived however as the Reds roared back in the bottom of the inning, sending eight runners home.

Jeramiah Benson was the first of the eight to touch home plate, scoring on a Kolstad sacrifice fly. Plummer was next, completing his trip when Aune hit a single line drive to center field. Laumeyer scored on a passed ball with Sprague at bat and Aune scored when the batter doubled on a line drive to left field. Sprague himself scored on the next batter when Juliun Benson doubled on a ground ball. Juliun Benson and Rhoads both scored when Jeramiah Benson also hit a double line drive to left field. He scored himself on a passed ball with Bengochea at bat.

The Blue Devils managed to add one run in the top of the fourth, but the Reds' bats were still smoking and the home team sent four more runners around the bases. Sprague batted Laumeyer in with a single line drive. Rhoads' double fly ball to center field sent Aune and Sprague over the plate. And Juliun Benson stole home to with Jeramiah Benson at bat.

Glasgow shut out Glendive in the top of the fifth before adding their 18th run of the game to negate the sixth and seventh innings. Bengochea scored on a Plummer single ground ball to left field to conclude the game.

Eliason pitched three innings for Glasgow, allowing seven runs on eight hits while throwing a 60.0 strike percentage. Kolstad earned the win for the Reds, allowing one run on two hits while throwing a 62.2 strike percentage over two innings.

The Reds racked up 16 hits in the game, led by Sprague who went 3-for-4 at bat. Aune, Juliun Benson, Jeramiah Benson, Plummer and Laumeyer added two hits each. Juliun Benson had three RBIs for Glasgow while Sprague, Rhoads and Jeramiah Benson all connected for two RBIs a piece. Juliun Benson, Kolstad and Rhoads each had a stolen base.