Mustangs Walk-Off Paddleheads on Opening Night

The Mustangs walked the Paddleheads off in the bottom of the 9th inning to win the game 7-6 over the defending North League Champion.

Mustangs' right-hander Keagan McGinnis went to the mound in the Top of the 9th with a 6-3 lead and gave up three runs, only one of which was earned, on one hit, a strikeout, a walk, and a hit batter, with two errors by third baseman Connor Denning. 

When it came to the bottom of the 9th, second-baseman Luke Fennely hit a liner to center with 2 outs to keep the line rolling. Denning redeemed his errors with a deep fly ball to right field, where outfielder Thomas DeBonnville lost track of the ball in the lights and it fell to the turf, allowing Fennely to score from first. 

The Mustangs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first off a 2-run home run by Denning and an RBI Fielder's Choice by Bryce Donnovan. 

To the 3rd inning, returning first-baseman Gabe Wurtz led it off with a single, before Casey Harford reached base on a hit-by-pitch. Donovan hit an RBI to score Wurtz, then center-fielder Mikey Edie hit a 2-run single to score both Harford and Donovan to make it 6-3. 

Opening Day Starter Karan Patel went 6 innings and gave up six hits, one run unearned, while returning reliever McLain Harris pitched two innings giving up two runs with an error. 

Meanwhile, McGinnis picks up his first win for the Mustangs. 

The Mustangs take on Paddleheads for Game 2 of the 6 game home-stand at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, May 24th at Dehler Park.