Penrod Fans 13 In PaddleHeads Win Over Mustangs

BILLINGS, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads hit the road on Monday evening to open a 3 game series opposite the rival Billing Mustangs. This marked the PaddleHeads second appearance at Dehler Park after playing in a 6-game set in the Magic City to open the season. Starter Zach Penrod suffered his only loss thus far this season in his first outing of the year opposite the Mustangs. It did not take long to see that things would go much differently on this night for the Idaho native in a simply spectacular evening for Penrod. 

In one stretch from the end of the 2nd through the 4th, Penrod would retire 7 batters in a row via a strikeout in a remarkable sequence. Each batter in the stretch would strike out swinging. When it was all said and done, Penrod would walk off the mound having not allowed a single run over 7 innings. This only told part of the story as Billings would not see a single runner reach base against Penrod until the 4th. The PaddleHeads offense would find all the success they needed behind a fifth inning rally to provide more than enough support for Penrod in a 6-0 victory over Billings. 

Penrod would allow only 3 hits over his 7 innings of work while striking out a remarkable 13 batters in the outing. This strikeout total marked a new season high for PaddleHeads pitchers on the season. The Northwest Nazarene product would strike out at least 2 batters in 6 of the 7 innings he was on the mound.  The 3rd year Pioneer League veteran also now leads all pitchers in the league in ERA (3.02).

After 4 quiet innings offensively, the PaddleHeads attack would break through thanks to the long ball to kick off a 5-run rally. Former Mustang Jacob Kline would get Missoula on the board with a solo home run to put the first run of the game on the board. One batter later, McClain O'Connor would hit a solo shot of his own over the wall in right center to bring Missoula's advantage to 2-0. A 2-out walk to center fielder Keaton Greenwalt would then signal more trouble. 

singles in consecutive at-bats from Dondrei Hubbard, and Jake Guenther would bring in a pair more with 2-outs as the PaddleHead would extend their lead to 4-0 in the 5th. A bases loaded walk from Catcher Luis Navarro would round out the scoring in the frame. Navarro would also knock in an insurance run for Missoula in the 9th to bring their 6th run home. Hubbard enjoyed a solid night in the win finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Guenter, and O'Connor also both finished 2-for-4. Navarro and Kline also chipped in finishing 1-for-4.

John LaRossa would make sure there would be no drama over the final 2 innings out of the bullpen allowing only 1 base runner down the stretch. LaRossa has found success in his last 4 outings having allowed just 1 run over his last 6 2⁄3 innings pitched. The New York native has struck out 11 batters in that stretch. 

The PaddleHeads (28-9) will look to keep the momentum rolling on the road in game 2 of the series opposite the Mustangs (17-20). Action begins at 4:05 p.m on Independence Day. Catch all the action from Dehler Park on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.