PaddleHeads Pen Shuts Down Mustangs in 4-2 Victory
Missoula Holds Billings Scoreless in Final 6 Frames in Win
Billings, MT- Both offenses would have a quiet night Saturday in game 5 of a 6 game set between the Missoula PaddleHeads, and Billings Mustangs. Neither team would lead by more than 2 runs in the contest as both teams would look for an advantage in the series after both clubs split the first 4 games of this 6 game slate. On a night where runs would be difficult to earn, the PaddleHeads attack would prove to find just enough in support of a fabulous effort from the bullpen.
After falling into an early 2-0 hole in the 2nd, Missoula's offense would find success over the course of the next 3 innings plating runs in each of those innings to take a 4-2 lead. This offensive spirt would prove to be enough for the PaddleHeads pen which would hold the Mustangs off the board over the course of the next 6 innings to hold on for a 4-2 victory.
After trailing in the early going, the PaddleHeads offense would shift momentum in the fourth inning thanks to a jolt from the long ball. Kamron Willman, and Lamar Sparks would both go deep in consecutive plate appearances to erase the 2 run deficit to tie the ball game. Missoula would never trail again the rest of the way. Sparks, and Wilman would both finish the game 1-for-4.
After scratching a run across in the fifth, Nick Gatewood would bring home another in the next half inning on a double that scored Jayson Newman from first base to make the score 4-2. Gatewood finished 1-for-4 in the win and Newman would finish 2-for-4. Despite this being the final runs being put on the board by the PaddleHeads, it would prove to be more than enough for the pen coming down the stretch.
Billings did manage to grab the lead in the early going thanks in large part to a pair of extra base hits. Jacob Kline would lead off the second inning with a triple into left center field. Kline would then be brought in one batter later on an RBI single from Abraham Mow to move Billings in front. Later in the third, Crews Taylor would give the Mustangs a 2-0 advantage with a solo blast to left field to add to the advantage. This would be all for the Mustangs attack however on this night as their offense would come to a screeching halt after this point.
Missoula's bullpen would be more than up to the task in the tight contest over the final 4 ⅔ innings of action, holding Billings off the board in each of those frames. Collectively, the PaddleHeads pen would never allow a hit in that stretch while walking 2 and striking out 6. Dan Swain would get credit for the win for his 1 ⅓ innings of work in relief of starter Austin Crowson who pitched 4 ⅓ innings. Swain would then give way to Tyler Elliot.
The MSU-Billings product would perform well on the field he once called home as a member of the Yellowjackets. The Southern California native would retire all 4 batters he faced in 1 ⅓ innings of work. This would turn things over to the reliable late inning combination of Mark Simon, and Sam Hellinger.
Simon would set the tone for the final 2 innings in the eighth striking out the side as part of a clean inning. The Texas native would attack the Mustangs with a heavy fastball that would overwhelm the Billings attack. Things would not improve for the Mustangs in the next half frame facing Hellinger.
Hellinger would leave nothing to doubt in the ninth earning his third save in as many opportunities opposite the Mustangs this week to clinch a PaddleHeads victory. The Seattle native also continues to lead the Pioneer League in saves (14). Down the stretch of the final 3 frames, Billings would fail to get a single base runner aboard.
The PaddleHeads (59-23) will look to pick up a series win on the road in the finale from Dehler Park on Sunday Afternoon. The Mustangs (44-37) will look to end the 6 game set on a high ahead of an upcoming 6 game road trip. Action in the series finale is set to begin at 1:05 p.m. Catch all the action from the Magic City on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
