Missouri Thunder: 357

Arizona Ridge Riders: 355.75

FORT WORTH, Texas – With both teams going a torrid 4-for-5, covering 80% of their draws, the highest scoring game in PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series history was witnessed Friday evening at Rattler Days in Fort Worth, Texas, with the Missouri Thunder defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders 357-355.75 in walk off fashion.

In the lead off position for the Ridge Riders, first-round draft pick Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) was quick to strike, reaching the requisite 8 atop Marciano (Hookin’ W Ranch) for 87 points.

Arizona’s lead, however, was short lived. Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) was a near picture of perfection atop Homegrown (Chad Reese), scored 87.75 points, to put Missouri ahead 0.75 points prior to the second.

The Ridge Riders’ remained red hot in their second out, with Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) putting his team back in the lead by 88.5 points when he covered Hunter (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls) for 89.25 points.

The Thunder once again out rode the Ridge Riders, with Leandro Machado (Nova Esperanca. Brazil) delivering the team’s second 90-point ride of the season when he outlasted UTZ BesTex Red Clark (Blake Sharp/Chris Utz/Garrett Carey/Henry Wilson) for a commanding 90 points.

Down by 1.5 points in the top of the third, the Ridge Riders earned a re-ride, which would set up a showdown between Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) and Mr. Winston (Dakota Rodeo/Mark Barker/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) later in the game.

The Thunder’s white-hot momentum continued to roll, as the team surged a full bull ahead when Marcelo Procopio Pereira (Rinopolis, Brazil) bested Wicked Dreams (TNT Bucking Bulls) for 88.25 points.

Down by 89.75 points, the Ridge Riders tied it up in the top of the fourth, with the scoreboard reading 266-266 when Alisson De Souza (Taubate, Brazil) rode Tested’s Viper (Hookin’ W/LeFlore Bucking Bulls) for 89.75.

With the score even, 2012 PRCA champion Cody Teel (College Station, Texas) was in the position to put his team back ahead. Teel proved no match for Moon Juice (Shuler Bucking Bulls), hurled to the ground in 2.12 seconds.

As the game approached its final frame, Missouri had one out remaining, while Arizona had two compliments of their re-ride earned earlier in the game. The Ridge Riders would attempt their outs consecutively, and Missouri would have the final say in the back-and-forth slug match. In just his second event for the team, Mauricio Moreira (Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil) logged Arizona’s first buckoff when he was tossed by the powerful Ivy League (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) in a swift 1.71 seconds.

Still with the chance to win the game, Losnake was in a must-ride position as he climbed aboard Mr. Winston. The surging 18-year-old capitalized under pressure, reaching the whistle for a clutch 89.75 points.

The game’s final out pitted Missouri closer Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) against Pickle Moonshine (Shuler Bucking Bulls), needing a score of 90 points or more to clinch the victory. Alvidrez had bucked off the bull, a familiar opponent, earlier in the Team Series season in Oklahoma City in a quick 2.41 seconds. Alvidrez, however, reversed his fortunes, matching the bull jump-for-jump as the crowd went wild. Reaching the whistle, Alvidrez and the Thunder erupted in celebration as the fans eagerly awaited a score.

Despite a challenge by the Ridge Riders, the score stood, with Alvidrez earning a monstrous 91 points to win the game for the Thunder by 1.25 points, 357-355.75. The 90-point score was Alvidrez’s team-leading second of the season.

The victory elevated Missouri to 12-11 this season. They will seek their second win at PBR Rattler Days on Saturday when they play the Austin Gamblers (1-0 | 12-11).

The Ridge Riders, now 12-10-1 in 2022, will look to rebound in their second game inside Dickies Arena when they take on the Oklahoma Freedom (0-1 | 13-10).

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media