Mustangs Earn First Win of Series Sunday Opposite PaddleHeads

Missoula, MT.- The Missoula PaddleHeads would draw first blood in Game 5 of a 6-game slate on Sunday night taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The PaddleHeads held all the momentum at that point having won each of the first four games of the series. However, the Mustangs would prove to have an answer on this Sunday night.

Billings would bring home 9 runs in the fourth and fifth innings jumping out to a seven-run advantage their largest lead of the series. The PaddleHeads would fight down the stretch but would ultimately fall by a final tally of 12-8.

The Mustangs would take control of the game in the fourth inning thanks to a seven-run rally to make the score 9-2. Catcher Dalton Cornett would get the party started with a three-run blast into right field to give Billings a 5-2 lead. Former PaddleHeads Tristen Carranza would also do damage in the frame bringing in a pair of runs on a double. Carranza would finish the game 2-for-4 with 2 driven in.

The PaddleHeads did have an answer in the bottom of the fourth cutting into the deficit on a two-run blast off the bat of Jared Akins. The towering blast in the inning would travel 455 feet off the bat at 108 miles per hour. Despite the jolt from the California native, Billings would once again extend the lead quickly.

A two out single from Brandon Pugh in the fifth would stretch the lead right back to seven making the score 11-4. It would prove to be a noteworthy swing for Billings in the end as the PaddleHeads would have one more rally in them in the sixth.

Luke Navigato would cut the Mustangs lead to three in the inning on a 2-run blast that made the score 11-8. Rookie Bryan Leef would also get in on the act with an RBI single as part of a nice evening at the plate in his professional debut. Leef and Navigato would finish the game 2-for-4. It would prove to not be enough in the end however as the PaddleHeads would fail to come any closer.

Each team in the Northern Division has nor recorded a win in the second half of the Pioneer League season with each team’s mark sitting at (1-1). The PaddleHeads (36-14) will look to end the homestand on a high note on Monday evening in the series finale opposite the Mustangs (19-31). The action begins at 7:05 p.m. on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.

With the PaddleHeads season now underway, our ‘Adopt A PaddleHead’ host family program is still in need of families that would potentially be in interested in housing a player or coach for the 2021 season. Families are encouraged to contact the front office at (406) 543- 3300 with any questions. To apply for our host family program please email [email protected].

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