PaddleHeads Get Back On The Horse In 24-3 Win

MISSOULA, MT - After a severe storm brought play to a screaming halt on Wednesday night, action in a 6-game series resumed on Friday between the Missoula PaddleHeads, and Billings Mustangs. After opening the series with a lot of success offensively, Billings would strike in the early innings, jumping to the lead in the top of the 1st. To say that the PaddleHeads attack would have a rebuttal in quick order would maybe be putting things lightly. 

After the first 2 outs were recorded in the 1st inning, Missoula would see 12 consecutive batters reach in a 9-run barrage. The PaddleHeads would tally 15 runs in the first 3 innings combined to race to a comfortable advantage. Nick Parker, and Trent Anderson would also keep the Mustangs under wraps on the flipside allowing only 3 combined hits. The end result would be a 24-3 demolition of the Mustangs. 

After a solo home run from Jacob Kline brought Billings to the lead in the top of the 1st, the PaddleHeads attack ripped off a 2-out rally to remember. Missoula would tally 7 hits after 2-outs were recorded as part of a 9-run rally. Consecutive doubles from Collin Runge, and Alec Sanchez would get things rolling in earnest as Missoula took the lead at 3-1. Singles From Taylor Smith, Patrick Chung, Roberto Pena, and Adam Fogel did the rest as Missoula took a 9-1 lead. The offense kept on coming in another big rally in the 3rd. 

Pena would kick off a 6-run rally in the bottom of the 3rd with a 3-run home run to right center field. Pena would knock in 4 as a part of a 3-for-7 night. A double from Fogel would then knock in Mike Rosario ahead of an RBI single from Sanchez. A sacrifice fly from Karmon Willman saw Missoula's lead in the frame swell to 15-1 after 3. The middle 3rd of the order collectively had a monster effort in the win. 

The trio of Fogel, Rosario, and Sanchez finished with 10 hits combined in the contest with each finishing with 3 hits or more. Fogel would lead the way in a 5-for-6 performance finishing with 4 RBIs and 4 runs scored. Rosario was no slouch finishing 4-for-5 scoring 4 runs himself. Sachez chipped in with 4 RBIs as part of a 3-for-6 night at the dish. 

Home run power kept the offense rolling in the 4th and 5th. Fogel, and Rosario would both go deep in consecutive at-bats in the 4th inning. In the 5th, Willman left earth to knock in a pair making the score 19-3. It was a solid night in his 2nd game off the inactive list finishing 2-for-3. 

Parker had another outstanding night on the hill for the PaddleHeads earning his 5th win of the season as a result. The Pennsylvania native allowed just 2 earned runs in 6 innings of work striking out 6 batters. Anderson would come in to relieve Parker and ensure that the Mustangs would not end the game offensively on a high note. 

The Missouri St-Louis product was outstanding in 3 innings down the stretch retiring 9 consecutive batters to bring the game to the finish. The southpaw would strike out a pair in 3 shutout frames allowing Missoula to save the rest of the bullpen for battles that await. That surely is relevant thinking of the workload that now is on the horizon for both pitching staffs in the coming days. 

Missoula will start the process of making up for lost time on Saturday night. Starting the evening, both teams will resume action from Wednesday's game that was brought to a halt in the bottom of the 4th. The PaddleHeads (43-13, and Mustangs (26-30) will then play through the 9th inning to decide a winner of game 2 of the series. Billings goes into the scenario with an 8-6 lead. After a 30 minute break, Saturday's scheduled game will then take place. It will be a 7 inning affair. 

Action in the suspended game is scheduled to resume at 5:00 p.m. The 2nd game of the night will then begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the 1st game. Sunday will also feature a double header with a pair of 7-inning affairs on the docket. If you cannot be a part of the action in person, tune in on 102.9 F.M. ESPN Missoula, and 1029espn.com.