Rangers split with Wheatland

WHEATLAND -- The Laramie Rangers didn’t settle any seeding questions with a split against Wheatland on Wednesday.

The Lobos routed the Rangers 13-5 in the opener, with the Rangers holding on for a 12-11 victory in the nightcap.

Laramie hosts the South District Tournament from July 23-25 and will wait on a vote from the district coaches for the tournament seeding.

Things looked promising in the first game, with the Rangers and Lobos tied at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. The Lobos, however, roughed up Laramie ace Coley Wilson with six runs in the bottom of the fourth and never looked back. Wheatland added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

Wilson gave up eight hits and 10 runs (eight earned) in 4 1/3 innings. Nick Armijo and Brody Hilgenkamp also pitched in the game for Laramie.

The Rangers had just six hits in the game, with left fielder Nolan Carter leading the way with a single and home run.

The Laramie offense picked things up in the second game with 11 safeties, led by Carter’s two home runs and five RBI, including a grand slam blast in the fourth inning. Hilgenkamp and Rylan Harding both added two hits each and Jon Sorenson belted a three-run home run, while Tyler Mitchell had two RBI in the contest.

The Rangers trailed 5-2 before exploding for six runs in the fourth inning and adding on four more in the sixth for some insurance.

Carter started the game on the mound, giving up eight hits and eight runs (six earned) in 4 2/3 innings. Skyler Joy picked up the win in relief, pitching the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up two hit and three runs (one earned). Joy ended the game with a strikeout and a Wheatland base runner on third base.

The Rangers will close the regular Friday with a doubleheader at Gering, Neb., beginning at 2 p.m.