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MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM
Adam Fogel Returns To The Starting Lineup Sunday
May 25, 2025

Adam Fogel Returns To The Starting Lineup Sunday

An Insider's View To Game 6 vs. Billings

An Insider's View to Game 6 at Dehler Park

 

Game 6 

Missoula PaddleHeads @ Billings Mustangs

May 25.2025

1:05 p.m. Dehler Park

Brendan Beard vs. Dalton Mall

 

Pena Power 

It's hard not to talk about Roberto Pena thinking about the recent run he has been on at the plate. His activity with the long ball seemingly got the PaddleHeads bats going collectively on Saturday night as well leading to their 3rd win of the series with the Mustangs. Missoula's first runs of the contest came off the bat of Pena with his home runs in the 3rd, and 5th innings. The rest of the offense would then take advantage of an intentional walk to Pena in the 7th as Missoula would set up a 4-run rally following the free pass to start the frame. 

All of Pena's league leading 6 home runs have come in the last 4 games. Pena has also knocked in runs and recorded at least one hit in every game so far for Missoula. Pena leads the team in RBIs (12) and is 2nd in batting average to this point (.455). Not to be outdone, Mike Rosario leads the team in average at .476 in 21 plate appearances. After going hitless Tuesday, Rosario has held a .581 average in the last 4 games combined. The right fielder has 2 hits or more in each of those games. 

 

Roster Transaction

 

The reigning Pioneer League MVP Adam Fogel was activated Sunday afternoon from the inactive list. Relief pitcher Mark Timmins has been sent to the inactive list as the corresponding roster move with a lower body injury. Timmins was seen being helped off the field at the tail end of his outing Saturday night in the 8th inning. 

Fogel will be back in the starting lineup for the PaddleHeads in his normal defensive position in left field Sunday afternoon. Missoula will surely be happy to have him back for numerous reasons. It never hurts to have a single season league home run record holder back in your lineup. 

But this also most definitely solidifies their defensive positioning as well. We have seen players like Colin Gordon, and Taylor Smith fill in for Fogel in left field while he has been injured. Gordon, and Smith are both strong defensive players at their respective positions. It just typically is not in field position 7. So allowing those guys to focus on the positions they play well will also impact the team in a positive way. 

 

Saturday's Pitching Matchup

 

RHP #30 Brendan Beard (0-0) (0.00 ERA) vs. RHP #45 Dalton Mall (0-0) 0.00 ERA 

 

Beard's' 2024 Season Highlights:

  • (7-1) 2.67 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts) at Texas Lutheran University

  • 77 Strikeouts/19 Walks in 81 innings pitched

  • Beard was named 1st-team All-Conference For his efforts in the SCAC.

  • The Texas native was also selected with All-Region honors in the NCAA DIII postseason. 

  • Beard held a 3.06 ERA in 62 games during his collegiate career with the Bulldogs that spanned from 2020-2024. 

  • Beard would also pitch with the Garden City Wind of the PECOS League in 2024. 

  • In 11 starts, the right hander would finish 8-1 with a 2.68 ERA finishing with 85 strikeouts in 70 ⅓ innings. 

 

Mall's Scouting Report:

  • Mall signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays and appeared in one game in minor league action but never appeared on the mound. 

  • Social media videos of Mall surfaced in the offseason showcasing an ability to throw fastballs at up to 100 miles per hour. 

  • Sunday will be his professional debut on a pitchers mound taking the hill at Dehler Park. 

  • In college, Mall would pitch with Bradley University in a career spanning from 2021-2023.

  • Beard would appear in 18 games in his career (11 starts) finishing with a 7.48 ERA in 43 innings. 

 

Game 6 Starting Lineups

 

Missoula PaddleHeads (3-2)

  1. #8 Colin Gordon 3B

  2. #7 Roberto Pena 1B

  3. #21 Mike Rosario RF

  4. #55 Adam Fogel LF

  5. #6 Alec Sanchez CF

  6. #2 Kamron Willman 2B

  7. #18 Carlos Perez C

  8. #13 McGwire Holbrook DH 

  9. #3 Colby Wilkerson SS

RHP #30 Brendan Beard

 

Billings Mustangs (2-3)

  1. #22 AJ Shaver CF

  2. #37 Briley Knight DH

  3. #6 Dylan Leach C

  4. #39 Tyler Shelnut LF

  5. #9 Jack O'Dowd 2B 

  6. #8 Colby Seltzer SS 

  7. #49 Patrick Mills RF

  8. #14 Zane Denton 3B

  9. #13 Evan Blum 1B

RHP #45 Dalton Mall 

 

3 Big Questions For Game 6

 

  1. How Will Fogel Fare In His Debut? 

I'm sure there will be a bit more buzz in the ballpark Sunday when #55 steps into the box for the first time. Adam Fogel is a name people around the Pioneer League, and beyond now recognize. Not only was he a Pioneer League MVP, but he also was acknowledged as a National Player of the Year in Independent League Baseball. Sure fans would catch on to his talents throughout the course of last season, but now he is a much more known commodity. How will he react to that extra pressure? Or will he feel any to begin with? 

It also is important to remember that this is his first live repetitions of the season. Furthermore Fogel played in the field defensively throughout Spring Training, but never took an at-bat. Will he be able to come out strong right from the start? All eyes will be on Fogel, it will be an interesting Sunday afternoon of baseball. 

 

  1. Which Starter Will Fare Better In Their Professional Debut? 

It always is interesting when a player makes his professional debut. In an added element Sunday, 2 players will be doing so going up against one another. Mall comes in with some buzz backed by social media. Will those high-velocity numbers translate to the real thing? Furthermore, will Mall be able to command well to try to stop an offense that has been rolling in recent days?

Beard looked to be a pitcher with a wide arsenal during training. Matthew Sox was able to implore this strategy well Saturday to confuse the Billings lineup. Will the Texas native have a similar experience in his first outing? It surely would be a good way to make some new friends in the clubhouse thinking about this being a chance for Missoula to claim an advantage in this 6-game set. 

 

  1. Will The PaddleHeads Enjoy A Happy Charter Ride Back To Missoula?

After a week on the road, the PaddleHeads will hop back on Interstate-90 after the game to make the trip back West to Missoula. It seems like a nice evening for a drive with ideal summer-like conditions on the horizon. But for the ride to be a particularly happy one, it will most likely also have to feature a win on the field. 

This series has seen its proverbial tugs of war at times. Both teams have landed counter punches. Both sides have also used similar tactics at times with success to find the win column. A PaddleHeads victory claims the series, and the Mustangs salvage a split with a win. After finishing with a .500 record against Billings last season, it would be a nice metaphorical step forward in 2025 to show that things will be different this season.