Newman Sets Pioneer League Home Run Record Sunday
PaddleHeads Fall 6-5 in Tightly Contested Affair Opposite Voyagers
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
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1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 10 | 0 |
Great Falls, MT- The journey in professional baseball began for Jayson Newman on a warm August evening in 2021 appearing in action for the Missoula PaddleHeads at Centene Stadium. Almost a year later, Newman would once again suit up for the PaddleHeads opposite the Great Falls Voyagers on Sunday afternoon looking to continue what has been a magical season. The Southern California native came into Sunday having tallied 25 home runs. This left him one short of tying a league record set by Zach Almond of Missoula the year prior. After seeing his journey begin in the Electric City in 2021, Newman would also cement his legacy at Centene Stadium on Sunday.
Newman would tie Almond's record in his first at-bat in the first inning putting Missoula out in front by a score of 2-0. After Great Falls tied the game in the second Newman's spot in the order would come up again in the third. On a 2-out 3-2 pitch, Newman would send a laser over the wall in right to give the Paddleheads the advantage once again. Furthermore, Newman would become the new home run king in the Pioneer League surpassing Almond.
After seeing his journey in professional baseball begin in Great Falls, it is fitting that this milestone also was reached at Centene Stadium. Newman would finish Sunday 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs.
The Cal-State Northridge product was a big part of the stretch run for Missoula on their way to a championship in 2021 hitting 9 home runs in 23 games played. Newman has taken that production to a new level in 2022 tallying 27 home runs in only 58 games. In his first professional season, Newman had the opportunity to play alongside Almond creating a duo that would wreak havoc offensively. It also gave Newman an opportunity to learn tricks from a seasoned veteran on how to perform in professional baseball.
"I really looked up to Zach when I first got to Missoula," Newman said. "He really helped me make that transition from where I was to professional baseball. So a lot of my success is tied to him. He is a great player, and leader."
Despite getting the jolt from Newman on a pair of home runs, the Voyagers would seem to always have a counter punch as neither team would lead by more than 2. After a game tying triple from Christopher De Guzman, Great Falls would manage to take their first lead of the day in the sixth on an infield single from Jake Malec to make the score 6-5. This 2-run rally would prove to be the difference as the Voyagers would hang on by a final tally of 6-5. De Guzman would tally 3 hits going 3-for-4 in the win.
Missoula still has plenty of work to do in the second half of the season as nearly 30 games remain on the schedule. This will also give Newman an opportunity to build upon what he has done in this magical season. However, the focus for the second year pro will not be on personal accolades.
"You never are focused on setting records playing this game," Newman said. "I just focus on trying to play the game the way I want to. We have some work to do before the playoffs start in about a month so it should be a fun ride the rest of the way."
After an offday Monday, the PaddleHeads (45-20) will welcome the Boise Hawks (22-44) to town Tuesday making their first and only appearance in Missoula over the 3 game series. This will also be Boise's first appearance in Missoula since their appearance against the PaddleHeads in the Pioneer League Championship Series last September. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Hear the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
