Osprey Power Past Billings

Anfernee Grier, Jason Morozowski and Luis Silverio all posted their first homers as Osprey in 2016, while Ramon Hernandez belted his second of the season, as the Missoula Osprey (3-6) powered their way to a 12-3 victory over the Billings Mustangs (4-5) on Saturday night from Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

The season-high 12 runs may have overshadowed a strong pitching performance on Saturday, as right-hander Connor Grey dealt the first 4.0 innings, allowing just one run on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Grey has now allowed just one run over his first 8.0 professional innings on the hill. Rafael Pujols was credited with the victory after tossing 4.0 scoreless frames, surrendering just three hits with five strikeouts, to improve to 1-0 on the year.

The Osprey got to Billings starter Moises Nova early, tagging him for five runs (two earned) on three hits, including a solo shot from Hernandez in the three-run second. The right-hander lasted just 2.2 innings, ultimately being tagged with the loss and falling to 0-2 on the year.

Hernandez finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Jacy Cave also managed a three-hit night, going 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

The Osprey benefitted from five Billings errors, including a pair from shortstop Hector Vargas that allowed two unearned runs to plate in the third. Grier's solo homer in the fourth allowed Missoula to stretch its lead to 6-1 after four before the O's added three more in the fifth to run the tally to 9-1.

Morozowski, who played with Missoula last year, hit a line drive homer out to left field in the sixth before Silverio connected on the final round-tripper as part of a two-run seventh.

Missoula, which had just five homers over the first eight games, will conclude the four-game series with Billings tomorrow night at 5:05 p.m.