Late Inning Push Leads Missoula To Sweep Of Glacier
PaddleHeads Shut Down Range Riders Offense in 7-2 Win
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Missoula PaddleHeads
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 1 |
|
Glacier Range Riders
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
FLATHEAD VALLEY, MT- The series finale between the Missoula PaddleHeads and Glacier Range Riders Thursday night would be highlighted by a pitchers duel through the first 4 innings. Reece Fields of Missoula and Kaleb Sophy of Glacier would both have their best stuff working on the mound as the game would be scoreless through the first 4 frames. Both hurlers would only allow 2 earned runs combined over the course of their outings. This would set up a battle between both team's bullpens coming down the stretch. The PaddleHeads hurlers would prove to have the edge.
The Missoula bullpen would hold the Glacier offense scoreless over the final 4 innings of the contest for the 2nd consecutive night. The PaddleHeads offense would also find success scoring runs in their final 4 frames at the dish. Missoula would outscore Glacier 7-0 down the stretch as a result. This would all add up to Missoula's third win in as many nights opposite the Range Riders on the road in a 7-2 win.
After being held off the board in the 1st 5 innings, one swing would get Missoula going in the 6th inning. Collin Runge would get the PaddleHeads on the board with a laser shot over the wall in left to make the score 2-1. Runge would knot things up at 2 in the next half inning with a single in the 7th. Runge concluded the night 2-for-5 at the plate. A big swing from a 4th year veteran would then play a role in the late innings for the 2nd straight night.
After a pair of walks set the table in the top of the 8th, Cameron Thompson would take full advantage, hitting a home run to left field to give Missoula their first lead at 5-2. Thompson would knock in a game high 4 runs in the win for Missoula. Once given the lead, the PaddleHeads bullpen would not budge.
Noah McBride would be the first man out of the pen and would earn the win for his efforts in relief of Fields. The 3rd year pro would not allow a run or hit over 2 innings of work while striking out a pair. Ethan Swanson, and Andrew Garcia also turned in scoreless frames down the stretch in the final 2 frames. Fields may not have gotten a win for his effort as the starter, but was very impressive in his outing.
The rookie would have his best outing to this point on the season in 5 innings allowing only 1 earned run on 3 hits while striking out 4. Sophy was equally impressive on the flipside for the Range Riders allowing only one run on 2 hits while striking out 8 batters in 5 ⅓ innings of work. Missoula's offense would get things going in the innings after Sophy's departure however as both starters received a no decision.
Late innings success for the PaddleHeads would prove to be a deciding factor throughout the course of this 3 game set. In the final 3 innings of contests, Missoula would outscore Glacier 15-0 from the 7th to the 9th. Furthermore, the PaddleHeads never allowed the Range Riders to score a run in the 6th inning or later in any of the 3 games played at Glacier Bank Park. After breaking out the brooms on the road, action between these 2 teams will now shift to Allegiance Field at Ogren Park.
The PaddleHeads (40-11) will open a 9-game homestand on Friday night in the first game of a 3 game set at home opposite the Range Riders (29-22). First pitch from Allegiance Field at Ogren Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The first 750 fans through the gate will also receive a limited edition PaddleHeads Growler. If you cannot make it to the ballpark, tune in on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com.
