PaddleHeads Claim Northern Division Pennant in 4-2 Win

Missoula, MT- Game 3 of the Northern Division Series had a place in the League Championship Series on the line on Thursday night in action between the Billings Mustangs, and the Missoula PaddleHeads. For the second consecutive night, things would remain tight going to the top of the 9th inning with Missoula holding the slight advantage. Runs would be few, and far between for both clubs on this night as both teams would combine for just 10 hits on the night. After a late comeback gave the Mustangs a win in game 2 Wednesday, the PaddleHeads pitching staff would find a way to hold off Billings on this night. 

After throwing 1 ⅓ innings Wednesday night, Mark Simon's number would be called again in the top of the 9th inning with Missoula out in front by 2. The reigning league pitcher of the year would dial things in striking out Juan Teixiera on a fastball at the knees to record the final out in the ball game to seal a 4-2 victory. In the process the PaddleHeads claimed the Northern Division pennant for the second consecutive season. This also preserved a win for starter Austen Seidel who turned in a fabulous effort over 7 innings. The PaddleHeads will set their sights on defending the Pioneer League Championship which begins Saturday opposite the Grand Junction Rockies. Every game of this best of 3 series will take place at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Tickets are available now at gopaddleheads.com.

The PaddleHeads offense would get a jolt in the early going from a likely source in the bottom of the 1st. After a 2-out walk to Nick Gatewood, Jayson Newman would launch a 2-run blast well over the wall in left center to give Missoula an early 2-0 advantage. Newman would finish the night 1-for-4. Despite not seeing much else from the offense, this would prove to be enough for Seidel. 

The Texas native would dazel over 7 innings of work allowing just 2 hits over those innings while striking out 6. Seidel would retire the first 10 batters he faced in the outing allowing only 2 base runners overall. Seidel would also retire the side in order in 5 or his 7 innings pitched to keep the Mustangs in check. Billings would keep things close however thanks to the long ball. 

A pair of solo home runs would tell the story for the Billings offense allowing the Mustangs to remain close. Abraham Mow's solo blast in the 4th would get the Mustangs on the board. 3 innings later, Juan Teixeira would launch one over the wall cutting Missoula's advantage to just 1 run. Billings would fail to get anything going the rest of the way however as Missoula would only allow a pair of baserunners in the final 2 innings of play. 

A pair of triples would play a big role in Missoula finding a little breathing room. Cameron Thompson would give the PaddleHeads a 3-0 avantage with a triple in the 3rd inning. Kamron Willman would later wind out the scoring with another 3-bagger that would score Thompson in the 8th to give the PaddleHeads an extra run of insurance. Thompson would reach base 4 times in the win to finish 3-for-3. Willman also chipped in with a 1-for-4 effort. 

The stage for the Pioneer League Championship Series has now been set as the PaddleHeads will square off with the Grand Junction Rockies. Grand Junction comes in boasting the second best record in the league finishing at (62-33) overall. Furthermore, the Rockies had the best record in the league in the 2nd half finishing with a (36-11) record. The PaddleHeads will have the luxury of having each game of the best of 3 series in their ballpark however due to scheduling conflicts in Grand Junction. A tough battle surely awaits this PaddleHeads club. But Missoula can also celebrate on this night knowing that they are still The Kings of the North. 

Catch the PaddleHeads, and Rockies in action in game 1 of the Pioneer League Championship Series on Saturday September 17 at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Tickets are still available at gopaddleheads.com. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. If you cannot make it to the stadium, listen to all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.