Texas Rattlers: 88.75 / Nashville Stampede: 86.75
RIDGEDALE, Mo. – As the only undefeated team coming into Championship Sunday in Ridgedale, the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, edged out the Nashville Stampede 88.75-86.75 at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Thunder Days.
In a replay of Saturday night when the Rattlers beat the Kansas City Outlaws once again on Sunday, undrafted free agent Daniel Keeping (Gorman, Texas) knocked down a clutch final ride to win the game.
First out on Sunday was the Stampede’s Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) aboard Rockville (Blake Sharp/Kow Wetzel/Giovanni/Morris). After the bovine athlete decided not to cooperate in the chute, Pacheco was offered the re-ride after the Rattlers’ first out.
Up first for the Rattlers was Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil), who was flung off I’m A Secret (K-C Bucking Bulls/Bull Creek Bucking Bulls) in 6.08 seconds. Pacheco then set aboard Twisted Feather (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd/Cain Kobert) to take the re-ride, but was bucked off in 3.65 seconds.
Texas Rattlers’ Brady Fielder (Clermont, Australia) also found himself a re-ride opportunity after attempting to ride Show-Off (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls).
After the first and second frame produced no qualified rides, the two teams entered the third frame scoreless.
Looking to put points on the board, Thiago Salgado (Navirai, Brazil) settled aboard Next Strand (Young Cattle/Jack and Dot Verbois/D&H Cattle Co.). Riding jump-for-jump, Salgado stepped up for the winless Stampede with 86.75 points.
With the Stampede now one bull ahead, Junior Patrik Souza (Sonora, Brazil) was unable to convert as he was flung off Problem Child (TCB Ranch/K-C Bucking Bulls) in 2.32 seconds.
With a blanked fourth, Fielder took his re-ride opportunity but came down early aboard Mike’s Effect (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd/Cain Kobert), at 3.65 seconds.
With one ride remaining for each team, the Stampede looked to Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) to clinch their first win of the weekend. Alves attempted to ride Do Dat Eddie (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell) but was bucked off in a swift 2.63 seconds.
As the last opportunity, the Texas Rattlers would need closer Keeping to score in excess of 87 points to take the win. On Saturday night, Keeping had stepped up for his team with a massive 90-point game-winning ride.
Keeping once again brought it home aboard Willis (OG Cattle Co) for 88.75 points.
With that, the Texas Rattlers (10-12) finished 3-0 to earn their first event win, while the Nashville Stampede delivered another frustrating loss (5-16-1) and finished 0-3 in Missouri.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media