PaddleHeads Fall Into Early Hole In Loss to Mustangs

Billings, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads opened up a 6-game set opposite the Billings Mustangs on Tuesday night at Dehler Park. The Mustangs would assert themselves in the early going, leading by as many as 7 runs in the sixth inning. Missoula's offense would battle in the final 3 innings however, giving themselves  fighting chances coming down the stretch. 

Missoula would bring the tying run to the plate trailing by 3 in the top of the 9th inning. Billings managed to record the final 2 outs with the 2 runners aboard however, turning away the late threat of the PaddleHeads in a 8-5 loss. Missed opportunities would prove to be a theme for Missoula which would strand 11 runners on base in the loss. 

Billings saw the bulk of their offense come in bunches thanks to a pair of rallies in the second, and sixth innings. The Mustangs would jump out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a 3-run rally to set the tone early in the second. Crews Taylor, and Jordan Hovey would both tally RBI singles in the frame while Bryce Jackson would bring home a run on a double. Jackson was 2-for-3 and Taylor was 2-for-4. Hovey also chipped in with an RBI to finish 1-for-4. 

The Mustangs saw their lead balloon to 8-1 in the sixth thanks to a 4-run push. Andrew Fernandez knocked in a run with a single as part of the frame. Newly acquired right fielder Juan Teixera would provide a spark in his first game with Billings as well in the frame knocking in a run on a sacrifice fly to wind out the scoring. Fendandez would finish 1-for-4 while Teixera tallied a pair of RBIs in the win. 

Missoula would show fight in the 7th after falling into the large hole with a 3-run rally that cut the Billings advantage to 8-4. After an RBI groundout from McClain O'Conner, and a Sacrifice Fly from Lamar Sparks, Jayson Newman would dive in a run with a double down the right field line to bring Missoula within striking distance. Newman had a fantastic night in the loss finishing 4-for-5 with an RBI. 

The PaddleHeads offense would continue to put the heat on the Mustangs in the final 2 frames with threats in both innings. After stranding the bases loaded in the eighth, Missoula would also see a rally turned away in the ninth inning that would conclude with a pair of runners stranded to end the ballgame. 

The PaddleHeads (56-22) will look for a rebuttal in game 2 of the series on Wednesday opposite the Mustangs (43-34). Action from Dehler Park is set to begin at 6:35 p.m. Hear all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.