The Red Deer Riggers split their home-and-home series with Sherwood Park Athletics to start Sunburst Baseball League season.
Red Deer opened the year with a thrilling 4-2 extra-innings win Monday in Sherwood Park and followed that Tuesday night with a 13-7 loss at Great Chief Park.
Josh Edwards started for the Riggers Monday but it was rookie left-hander Reese DeRuyter who earned the win for Red Deer.
Tuesday, Davin Gulbransen started on the mound but the Riggers fell behind 6-1 after three innings. Sherwood Park scored five more in the top of the fourth before Red Deer responded.
Jordan Wong started the action with a solo home run and the Riggers cut the deficit to 11-6 after four.
Brett Porter gave up another run in his inning of work and J.P. Wilner allowed the Athletics 13th run of the game over the final two innings.
Derek Chapman had two hits for the Riggers and two first-year players, Mason Love-Hollman and Carter Claerhout each had a hit.
The Riggers are back in action Monday against the Edmonton Cubs before hosting the Cubs on Tuesday at Great Chief Park, with first pitch set for 7:30 p.m.