Elliott and Ramsay Spark Rally but Billings UpperDeck Expos AA Prevail

BILLINGS - Keaton Elliott and Landin Ramsay each had two hits to spark a frenetic rally, but the host Billings Upper Deck Expos AA held on for an 12-7 victory over the Missoula Impact Baseball Club in a pool play game on Friday at the Expos Invitational Tournament in Billings.

Expos right-hander Waskar Capellan, a Blue Mountain Community College commit, scattered three hits and an unearned run over four sparkling innings. Impact starter Sawyer Tackett matched his counterpart, cruising through three innings allowing only two hits and three unearned runs.

Billings broke through in the bottom of the fourth with four hits including a two-run double by Trevor Gollick. Tackett gave up two walks and some solid contact but was also victimized by shaky defense. By the time the dust settled the Expos had an 11-1 lead. Despite the time limit approaching, Missoula did not go quietly.

Elliott, the talented rising freshman, led off the fifth inning with a one-out single. Ramsay singled to left, Cole Smith was hit by a pitch, and Kody Evans delivered an RBI infield single. Nick Karvandi followed up with an RBI single to load the bases. Marek Hall then delivered the big hit, lining a two-run double to left field in which he scored on a throwing error to cut the gap to 11-7.

Hunter Johns was summoned to get through the fifth inning in ten minutes before the time limit, and quickly retired the side around a two singles and an unearned run as a result of a throwing error. However, Missoula went in order in the top of the sixth as the Expos closed it out.