5 Run 8th Leads Glacier Past Missoula Friday
Jenkins Fans 8 In Losing Efforts Opposite Range Riders
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 |
FLATHEAD VALLEY, MT - Success from starting pitchers dictated a large portion of Friday's battle between the Glacier Range Riders, and Missoula PaddleHeads. Jonah Jenkins of the PaddleHeads, and Kaleb Sophy of the Range Riders would both hold the opposing lineup scoreless through the first 5 innings of play. Both would have lengthy stretches of retired batters in their time on the mound as well. They both would receive now decisions for these efforts as the winner was decided in the late innings. After holding the Glacier offense in check to this point, the PaddleHeads pen would finally crack.
After 11 consecutive shutout innings from the Missoula bullpen in the series, Glacier was able to find success in the bottom of the 8th to regain the lead. A 10 batter inning would see Glacier jump to a 5 run advantage. The PaddleHeads would go down quietly in the next half inning allowing Glacier to come away with a 6-1 win.
Jenkins was simply sensational Friday in 5 ⅓ innings for Missoula. After allowing a leadoff hit in the 2nd inning, the Ohio State product would retire the next 13 batters he faced leading to the start of the 6th. Jenkins would strike out 8 batters in the outing and walked just 1. The Glacier attack would manage to scrape a run across after his departure.
Ryan McCarthy would bring home the first run of the night on a bloop to right, scoring Gabe Howell to make the score 1-0. This ensured that Sophy did not exit the ballgame with a deficit in his start for the 'Riders.
Sophy would retire 10 consecutive batters in his best stretch from the end of the 3rd to the 6th in 6 ⅔ innings of work. The southpaw would strike out 7 in the outing allowing just 4 hits. The PaddleHeads offense managed to tie things up in the final inning he pitched however, setting up a battle in the final 3 innings.
Mike Rosario would come through in the 7th with a single to right to score Colin Gordon to knot things up at 1. Rosario would reach base twice in the contest in a 1-for-3 performance. This would be the last time to board for Missoula. Glacier would prove to have the final say with a big push in the bottom of the 8th.
A trio of doubles from Andy Atwood, Jerry Huntzinger, and River Orsak would highlight a 5-run Range Rider rally in the bottom of the 8th. Huntzinger's double would give Glacier the lead initially at 3-1 ahead of Orsak's that brought home 2 more. A bases loaded walk to Ty Penner would also be fuel to the fire. This rally would ultimately lead Glacier to their first home win over Missoula this season.
The PaddleHeads (53-17) will look to get back to their winning ways in the final night game of this series Saturday opposite the Range Riders (35-35). Action from Glacier Bank Park will get rolling with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Hear all the action from the Flathead Valley on 102.9 ESPN Missoula and 1029espn.com.
