Late Inning Comeback Falls Short in Opening Night Loss

Billings, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads often had a flair for the dramatic during the 2022 campaign. The PaddleHeads rallied back from as many as 6-run down to win in the 9th inning in action last season. After a slow start in the early innings Tuesday, the PaddleHeads found themselves in a hole after the third inning of play. Thanks to more late inning heroics in the season opening game of 2023, the PaddleHeads found themselves in a tight ballgame at Dehler Park in Billings. On this Tuesday night however, it was the hometown Mustangs that found the clutch moment in the 9th inning to send the crowd home happy in the Magic City. 

A 3-run PaddleHeads rally in the top of the 9th would send the game to the bottom half of the frame tied at 6. After the first 2 Mustangs batters went down in order in the frame, it looked like action was destined to head to the 'Knockout' round after regulation. Billings had other ideas. After a 2-out  single from lead-off man Luke Fennelly, Billings had the winning run aboard. Third baseman Conner Denning would then hit a towering fly ball into right center field that sent right fielder Thomas DeBonville back toward the wall. Fortune would prove to be on the side of the Mustangs in the situation as DeBonville lost the fly ball in the lights, allowing the ball to land on the outfield turf. This sent the Mustangs pouring out of the Dugout to celebrate a walk-off 7-6 win on Opening Night over the PaddleHeads. 

A pair of 3-run rallies in the early innings got the Mustangs rolling in the early innings allowing the Mustangs to jump out to a 6-0 advantage. It would be Denning that would kick off the scoring for Billings in the first inning hitting a 2-run blast to right field to make the score 2-0. Center Fielder Mikey Edie would deliver another big blow in the bottom of the 3rd hitting a 2-run single to bring the Mustangs lead to 6 with 2-outs in the frame. Denning finished the game 2-for-5 with 3 driven in and Edie would finish 1-for-4. An outstanding individual effort in the PaddleHeads bullpen however allowed the PaddleHeads offense a chance to get back on the comeback trail. 

2nd year PaddleHead Mark Timmins spent most of his time in the starting rotation during the 2022 campaign. The Nebraska native would enter the fray on this night however in the 4th inning. Timmins would immediately set the tone in his first 2 innings of work retiring 6 consecutive batters in those innings. The Nebraska-Omaha product would stay strong over 2 more frames as well allowing no runs over 4 innings while striking out 5. This allowed the PaddleHeads offense an opportunity to get back into the game. 

Keaton Greenwalt brought some momentum into the dugout for Missoula in the 7th hitting a 2-run blast down the left field line to bring Billings' lead to 6-3. It was a highlight of a solid night at the plate for the New Mexico native who finished the night 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs. Greenwalt also would be part of a dramatic 9th inning rally that ultimately tied the game. 

Missoula would put the pressure on Billings from the start in the top of the 9th, loading the bases with only 1 out. After a bases loaded walk to reigning Pioneer League MVP Jayson Newman scored 1 run, 1st baseman Jakob Guenther would step into the box with the tying runs in scoring position. The Wisconsin native would come through in the clutch situation lacing a single into left field to tie the game. This late inning jolt would prove to not be enough however as Billings would rally back to victory in the bottom of the frame. The Texas Christian product drove in 3 on the night finishing 3-for-5. 

The PaddleHeads (0-1) will look to shake off the early season miscue opposite the Mustangs (1-0) on Wednesday night in game 2 of a 6 game slate. First pitch from Dehler Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Catch every moment of the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.