PaddleHeads Offense Rolls On In 17-9 Rout

OGDEN, UT - More success in the early innings for the Missoula PaddleHeads offense would get things rolling in game 3 of this 6 game set opposite the Ogden Raptors. Missoula jumped ahead in the first inning for the second consecutive game behind a 6-run rally in the top of the first inning. The PaddleHeads have scored 11 runs in the 1st inning over the last 2 games. The offense would also score runs in 6 different frames holding the lead from start to finish for the 2nd night in a row. The PaddleHeads also tallied more than 10 runs for the 8th straight game Thursday at Lindquist Field. 

6 hitters would tally 2 hits or more in the Missoula attack allowing the PaddleHeads to cruise to a comfortable 17-9 win. The win gives Missoula their 3rd straight  in this series with the Raptors and 4th win overall. A lot of the damage done offensively throughout the game would be done by a strong contingent of rookies that have gotten out to great starts as professionals in the Pioneer League. 

A 6-run rally for the PaddleHeads in the top of the 1st gave Missoula a cushion in the early going for the 3rd straight game. Missoula has rallied for 5 or more runs in the 1st 2 innings in every game so far in the series. Adam Fogel continued his torrid run in the frame with a 2-run double to get the scoring started. Fogel would tally 3 RBIs throughout the game to go along with a 4-for-5 performance at the dish. Roberto Pena would later knock in Fogel with a base hit of his own. Collin Gordon would also strike with a 2-run single in the frame to fan the flames. The Utah native would finish the night 3-for-4. Pena would be heard from once more to round out the scoring for Missoula. 

A 4-run rally in the 3rd would bring the PaddleHeads to the 10 run mark for the 8th straight game. A pair of walks with the bases loaded would do so as part of the rally. But the walk to designated hitter Luis Navarro would also highlight a new wrinkle in the Pioneer League this season. 

On 3 consecutive pitches, Navarro would take advantage of the new 'Strike Zone Challenge' rule in his at-bat with the bases loaded. This new Pioneer League rule gives players the opportunity to challenge a strike or ball in real time using an automated ball-strike system. Navarro would see 3 consecutive pitches overturned from a ball to a strike in his at bat resulting in a walk that scored Gordan and brought home Missoula's 9th run. A walk by Patrick Chung, the next batter, would give the PaddleHeads a 10-2 advantage. 

Mike Rosario would give Missoula success with the long ball as part of a 3-run push in the 4th with a towering home run to center field to bring the advantage to 13-4. Chung would also knock in a run with a single in the frame. Rosario would finish the game 2-for-5. More contributions from rookies down the stretch would ensure the Raptors would have no hope of a comeback. 

RBI singles from Fogel, and Rosario would bring in runs in the 7th. Catcher Taylor Smith enjoyed a fabulous night at the plate as well tallying 3 hits. The highlight would be a double off the base of the wall in center bringing home Giovanni DiGiacomo in the 8th inning. The Texas native would finish the contest 3-for-4. DiGiacomo also chipped in with a 2-for-5 effort. 

Pena would bring the game's final run home in the 9th inning with a solo home run down the left field line. The 1st professional home run for Pena would leave the yard quickly with an exit velocity of 106 miles per hour off the bat. It would be a fitting end to what was a fabulous night for PaddleHeads rookies in the contest. The former Kansas State Wildcat finished the game 2-for-5. 

A pair of former Great Falls Voyagers would bring the PaddleHeads home on the hill as Ethan Swanson, and Andrew Garcia would blow away the Raptors over the final 2 innings. The duo would allow just one man to reach base over 2 innings with no damage done. Garcia was especially impressive in the 9th in a clean frame striking out a pair to give Missoula the win. 

The PaddleHeads (7-2) will look to stay hot over the weekend over the final 3 games of this 12 game road trip. The Raptors (1-8) will look to stop the bleeding on the opposite side of the spectrum after what has been a rough start to the season. Action from Lindquist Field gets rolling with a 6:30 first pitch. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 1029 F.M. and 1029espn.com.