Pena Named Pioneer League Hitter of the Week

MISSOULA, MT - PaddleHeads First Baseman Roberto Pena entered the 2025 season looking to build on what he accomplished in his rookie campaign in Missoula. Pena tallied over 100 RBIs and 28 home runs in 2024 as one of the league's feared hitters. To open the season, the Kansas State product got off to a fantastic start over the first 6 games of the regular season in action on the road in Billings. In terms of what he did offensively, it was viewed as the highlight performance in the entire Pioneer League. 

On Thursday, the Pioneer League Executive Offices named Pena as the Hitter of the Week for his performance in action against the Billings Mustangs in a press release. This weekly award acknowledges one player around the league that stood out as a highlight performer. Pena would be the key cog of the PaddleHeads offense, launching 6 home runs throughout the course of the week as Missoula finished with a 4-2 record. The season may be in its opening stages, but it seems that the former Wildcat is primed for a summer to remember in 2025. 

Along with Pena's 6 home runs, Pena would also bat .400 in the 25 at-bats he had throughout the course of the week. Additionally, Pena would hold a .516 on base percentage while driving in 12 runs throughout the course of the week. The 2nd year professional currently has 14 RBIs while batting .387 having played in all 8 games the PaddleHeads have played to this point in the season. 

Pena was able to have a strong regular season as a rookie last summer but did have room for improvement. In the eyes of Manager Michael Schlact, Pena did a fantastic job in the offseason making adjustments to his approach which has led to his successful opening of the season. 

"Pena deserves all the success he's had because of the type of person he is, the type of teammate he is and the type of worker he is," Schlact said. "It's been fun to see him address a few deficiencies he had last season and really capitalize on his success. He's been cutting down on his big swings and hasn't chased pitches out of the zone. He's come into the season with a much more patient approach and it is showing in his success on the field."

Catch Pena, and the rest of the PaddleHeads at home the next 4 days as they continue a 6-game series Thursday with the Glacier Range Riders. Missoula will host evenings at the ballpark Thursday-Saturday. To highlight the fun, the PaddleHeads will hold their first fireworks show of the season on Friday night. Saturday evening will also have a theme in line with a galaxy far far away as it will be Star Wars Night at the ballpark. To wrap up the homestand on Sunday Afternoon, it will be a 'Kids Free Sunday' with all kids under the age of 12 getting into the ballpark free of charge. 

Evening first pitch times are slated for 7:05 the next 3 evenings. Sunday's matinee affair with the Range Riders is scheduled for 2:05. If you can't experience the fun in person, be sure to catch every pitch of the action on 102.9 F.M. ESPN Missoula.