ANAHEIM, Calif. – A battle of two first-place unbeatens and the surprising shutout of a high-flying team highlighted the start of the second and final neutral site event for the inaugural 2022 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series season, Friday night in Anaheim
After a homestand upset just one week ago, the Kansas City Outlaws recovered with an energetic shutout against the Carolina Cowboys as the third event of the 2022 PBR Team Series season began.
In a battle down to the final two rides, the Oklahoma Freedom edged the Ariat Texas Rattlers with a game-ending score from rookie Casey Roberts, recording the team’s second win of the season.
Led by two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme dominating a great bull, the Austin Gamblers surged to the top of the weekend event standings with a two-ride victory over the Nashville Stampede.
Channeling their winning moves from the inaugural PBR Team Series event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Missouri Thunder reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the 2022 Team standings after dominating the Arizona Ridge Riders in a landslide game.
The PBR Team Series event from Anaheim continues Saturday, August 13 at 6:45 p.m. P.T. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the box office or online at PBR.com, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Anaheim. Fans can also tune in to a special doubleheader of the CBS Game of the Week on Sunday, August 14 at 1:30 pm ET (check local listings). Click here for the latest programming schedule.
Kansas City Outlaws: 165.75
Carolina Cowboys: 0
In the opening game of competition for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series at Anaheim’s Honda Center, the Kansas City Outlaws triumphed over the Carolina Cowboys in a much-needed shutout.
Following a crowd-shocking buck off for the Cowboys’ first round draft pick, 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York), the streaky team from Carolina, which came into the game with a 3-2 record, was unable solve a rank bull pen and was shut out for the second time in the last three games.
Swearingen, who remained the roster’s lead-off rider, was brought down after a mere 3.25 seconds in his matchup with Try This (D&H Cattle Company).
The Outlaws’ Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) was the next to climb into the chutes in hopes of putting his team on the board early on.
Despite a valiant effort to outlast Bout Time (Diamond Bar Cattle/ L&B Bucking Bulls), Mast was launched to the ground after 5.16 seconds.
While the game was scoreless through two rounds of outs, the Outlaws were the first to convert as the third wave of riders left the chutes.
2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) matched Melanie’s Dream (Diamond Willow/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) jump-for-jump, putting his team up 83-0 with two game frames remaining.
In a must-ride moment, the last rider in the Cowboys lineup, Leonardo Lima (Vale do Paraiso, Brazil) was unable to answer the call when Mr. Clean (Julio Moreno/ Equistride) bested the Brazilian rider after 5.98 seconds.
The Outlaws were quick to respond in the next out. Newly signed Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri) bested Long Haul for 82.75 points, cementing the second game win of the season for his team.
The Kansas City Outlaws (2-4) will look to continue their momentum Saturday when they take on the Austin Gamblers (3-3), while the Carolina Cowboys (3-3) will look to redeem their weekend when they face the league’s number-one team, the Missouri Thunder (5-1).
“It feels pretty good to get my bull rode tonight. I didn’t ride very well last weekend, so I went and got on some practice bulls to work on some things this week,” said Bob Mitchell of the Kansas City Outlaws. “Tonight, Koltin and I went out to win our first game of the weekend and we’re planning on doing it again tomorrow.”
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media