PaddleHeads Tally 22 Runs In 22-9 Route Of Raptors

OGDEN, UT - The Missoula PaddleHeads opened a 6-game road slate Tuesday night opposite the Ogden Raptors. It was Missoula's first visit to Linquest Field since late August of the 2021 campaign. The defending Pioneer League Champions would be the first ones to the board in game 1 plating the first run of the night in the 1st to grab an early advantage at 1-0. To say that would not be an ongoing trend with Ogden leading would be putting it lightly as the monster that is the PaddleHeads lineup woke up again in a big way. 

2 extra base hits would pace an 8-run second inning rally for Missoula who would grab a 7-run lead in the frame. The long ball would be a highlight for the PaddleHeads through the night as Missoula would hit five home runs as a team in the game. Missoula would also score 15 unanswered runs in the ballgame after falling behind in the early going in the top of the 1st. For the 6th straight game, Missoula would also tally over 10 runs in a 22-9 victory over Ogden. This also marked a new season high for runs scored in a game on the season as Missoula has also 20 runs or more in consecutive games. 

Collin Gordon would get things rolling in an 8-run 2nd inning clearing the bases with a 3-run double off the top of the left field wall. Later in the frame Alec Sanchez would bring in 3 runs of his own with a towering home run to right center field that soared well over the 390 feet marker to make the score 8-1. Sanchez would be heard from again with the long ball in the 4th and would finish the day 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. 

Home run power did even more damage for Missoula in the top of the 5th as 6 more runs would be brought home. Leadoff man Mike Rosario would send one over the centerfield wall as part of the push highlighting a 3-for-4 day at the plate. In his first appearance since opening night, Luis Navarro would also knock off the rust with a 3-run home run in the inning as Missoula's lead would expand to 15-1. Navarro would conclude his evening finishing 2-for-3. 

The PaddleHeads saw their offense get to the 20 run mark for the 2nd consecutive game in the 7th behind yet another sizable rally. Josh Elvir who battled illness to start this road trip, also made an impact off the bench hitting a pinch hit home run to start things off. After a bases-loaded walk to Kamron Willman, Adam Fogel would bring the PaddleHeads to 20 runs with a single to right field. Fogel would finish his day 3-for-5 and Willman would chip in with 2 runs scored to go along with a 2-for-6 performance. Rosario, Willman, Sanchez, and Fogel finished the game with 11  hits and 11 RBIs combined at the top of the order. 

The PaddleHeads (5-2) will look to keep their offense rolling in game 2 of the series opposite the Raptors (1-6) on Wednesday night from Ogden. Action from Lindquist Field is set to get going at 6:30 p.m. Catch every out on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com.