Mast, Rudman Power Outlaws to Victory in Opening Matchup Friday
By: Rachel Tighe
Kansas City Outlaws: 177.25 / Austin Gamblers: 88.5
RIDGEDALE, Mo. – Despite the return of Austin Gamblers No. 1 Draft pick Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil), the Kansas City Outlaws bested the Austin Gamblers by one ride score, 177.25-88.5 on the opening night of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Ridgedale.
With both teams 0-3 last weekend in Oklahoma City, the pressure was high for one team to come out on top. As the Gamblers’ lead-off man Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) and opponent Savage (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd/High Voltage Cattle) burst out of the chute, the bull tripped out the gate, causing a red flag to be thrown and a re-ride granted.
The Kansas City Outlaws then looked to Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) to grasp the early momentum in night one of Thunder Days, but Kasel came down in a surprising exit off Lone Survivor (Whitman Bucking Bulls/Jenkins Cattle Co) in 4 seconds.
Head Coach J.W. Hart challenged the ride, and after careful inspection, it was deemed no score and no re-ride, costing the Outlaws the opportunity for another challenge the remainder of the game.
As the game progressed, Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) attempted to put the first numbers on the scoreboard for the Gamblers, but bovine opponent Juice (Jenkins Cattle/L&M Bucking Bulls) brought him down in a hard-fought 5.52 seconds.
In the bottom of the second, Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) faced familiar opponent Spotted Demon (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell). Riding five of his last seven bulls, Mast made the right moves atop the bull, putting the Outlaws on the board for 89 points.
Conner Halverson (Gordon, Nebraska) was the next out for the Gamblers, but was no match for Red River (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls), bucked off at 6.64 seconds.
The Gamblers, unable to get a score on the board, were then given their re-ride opportunity but Mitchell bucked off Mike’s Effect (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd/High Voltage Cattle) in 4.49 seconds.
In the bottom of the third frame, the Outlaws added to their lead to go up two bulls and a score of 177.25-0 when Dalton Rudman (Wellington, Utah) covered Trump Train (H-H Bucking Bulls/Hadley Cattle Co) for 88.25 points.
In a must-ride situation in the Gamblers’ fourth frame, the pressure was on for Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) as he climbed aboard Day Late (Universal Pro Rodeo).Unable to step up for his team, Lima was brought down in a quick 1.66 seconds.
With the Outlaws’ victory already clinched, two-time PBR World Champion Leme returned without missing a beat, earning the Gamblers 88.5 points aboard Schott In The Dark (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch) and taking over the number-one position in the 2022 MVP race.
The last out of the game was Outlaws’ Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri), who hung on for dear life on Kong (Coleman/Ogden Ranch) for 73.5 points.
After being challenged, official review allowed for a re-ride opportunity. The Outlaws Head Coach J.W. Hart, looking to stack additional points, selected Clancy Hart (Valley View, Texas) for the re-ride aboard Dr. X (Universal Pro Rodeo/Pepper/Freeman Cattle Co.).
Hart could not add to the team’s score, bucked off at 2.16 seconds. With the victory against the Austin Gamblers, the Outlaws improved to 8-12, and they will look to continue their winning streak on Saturday against the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat (8-12).
The Austin Gamblers (10-10) will look to rebound during their second game this weekend when they play Oklahoma Freedom (12-8).
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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