5-Run Rally Leads Missoula Past Idaho Falls
Cici’s 3-Run Blast The Difference in 6-4 Win Tuesday
Missoula, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads opened a 6-game set in the Garden City on Tuesday in game 1 opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars. The action had a late season feel to it as both teams would hold an advantage in different instances. Despite this, neither team was ever able to stretch an advantage to a point where it felt comfortable. The difference in the game proved to be one frame where Missoula really got the bats going.
After trailing 3-0 in the early going, the PaddleHeads would find success with 2-outs in the fourth plating 5 runs in the sequence. Missoula's offense was not able to find much success after this frame, but it would prove to be all they would need as the PaddleHeads would hold the Chukars attack in check in a 6-4 victory.
Cameron Thompson would get Missoula's offense in gear in the fourth with a 2-run double off the top of the wall in left that would cut the Chukars advantage to 3-2. After a walk to Kamron Willman, Nick Cici would deliver the swing that would prove to be a vital one. The Charlotte native would send one over the right field fence for a 3-run bomb which gave Missoula a 5-3 advantage they would never relinquish. Cici, and Thompson would both finish 1-for-3 with 3 RBis in the win.
Idaho Falls would snag the early 3-0 advantage in the second inning thanks to a rally that would see all 9 batters see action in the inning. Thomas DeBonville would get things started with an RBI single. Former PaddleHead Brandon Bohning would later do damage with a 2-run single up the middle to give Idaho Falls their largest lead at 3. However, a double play induced by starter Austen Seidel with the bases loaded would help limit the damage in the frame. DeBonville finished the night 4-for-4 and Bohning was 1-for-4.
Seidel would move his record to 5-1 on the season in his first start since returning to the active roster from the inactive list on Tuesday. The second year professional would toss 5 innings of work allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 4. Outside of the damage in the second, Seidel would only allow 2 other base runners on the night. The action would remain tight throughout the rest of the night, but Missoula's pen would hold the line down the stretch.
Tyler Elliot, and Mark Simon would both turn in scoreless innings in relief from the PaddleHeads pen who would hold on to a 2-run advantage for much of the night. Leading 6-4 going to the bottom of the ninth, the PaddleHeads would turn to their closer Sam Hellenger. The Seattle native would continue his outstanding season out of the pen striking out the side en route to his 10th save of the season. Hellinger has not allowed a single run over his last 8 appearances on the mound. The former Rangers product has also converted with 7 saves in those outings.
Hunter Hisky would bring the Chukars closer in the top of the eighth with a solo home run making the score 5-4. This would be all for the Idaho Falls attack however as they would not find success in the 9th opposite Hellinger. Furthermore, Thompson also would get that run back for Missoula in the next half inning on a sacrifice fly to bring Missoula's lead back to 2 at 6-4. Husky would finish the night 2-for-4.
Missoula (52-20) will look to continue its winning ways Wednesday night in game 2 opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars (40-33) having won each of its last 7 games. Action from Allegiance Field at Ogren Park is set to begin at 7:15 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
