BILLINGS -- The Billings Royals jumped all over the Billings Scarlets in the baseball season opener for both sides, as the Royals defeated the Scarlets 11-1 in six innings on Saturday at Pirtz Field in Billings.
The Royals didn't waste much time jumping on the scoreboard, as an RBI single by Brenden Concepcion in the bottom of the first gave the Royals a 1-0 lead. Concepcion would score on a single to left by Colten Chavez.
The Scarlets managed a run in the top of the third on an RBI single by Logan Meyer, but the Royals hung six runs on the Scarlets to take a commanding 9-1 lead. The Royals finished off the Scarlets in the bottom of the sixth inning, as a two-run double by Eli McCoy ended the game due to the 10-run rule.
"It feels great just to be out playing baseball, having fans and the boys having fun. It was a great first game for us. A lot of things went right for us, so it was the perfect first game," Royals head coach David Swecker said. "(The crowd) is huge. The fans get rowdy on a maybe a bad call or a close pitch or a big hit, then all the players kind of feed off that. It really helps the boys stay locked into the game and not get bored or watching other stuff."
The Royals are back in action on Sunday against the Missoula Mavericks and Billings Scarlets at Pirtz Field starting at 12:30 p.m.
