PaddleHeads Erase Deficit in Ninth in 5-3 Victory

KALISPELL, MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads had their backs against the wall in the top of the ninth inning in the series finale opposite the Glacier Range Riders at Flathead Field. The Missoula attack had been held in check for the majority of the day scoring only 2 going into the inning.  Trailing by one going into the inning, Glacier was 3 outs away from securing a sweep of the series. Luckily for Missoula, Jayson Newman would help spark the offense just in the knick of time. 

Newman would kick off a three run rally in the top of the ninth with a solo homer that hit the scoreboard in left center field that tied the game at 3. A sacrifice Fly fram newly acquired second baseman Kameron Willman would then give Missouia their first lead of the game at 4-3. Jared Akins would also add on with an RBI single up the middle to give Missoula a 3 run lead. Newman would then bring Missoula home in the ninth on the mound in the bottom half of the frame to lead Missoula to a 5-3 victory. 

Newman has been outstanding since his return from the inactive list. In his last six games, Newman holds a .541 batting average with 5 home runs and 10 RBIs. Newman also leads the Pioneer League in home runs (9) despite only appearing in 16 games so far this season with the PaddleHeads. 

Glacier would jump on the board first in the early going, taking the lead in the first inning for the third consecutive game. Sam Linscott knocked in Ben McConnell on a single through the middle in the inning to kick off the scoring before being brought home on another hit by Justin Mazzone to make the score 2-0. The fast start was not a sign of things to come however as starter Mark Timmins would settle in. 

After allowing the 2 runs in the first, Timmins would only allow one additional run through the rest of his outing in 6 innings pitched. The Nebraska native would scatter 7 hits over those frames while not allowing a single walk. The bullpen would then do well to hold the line coming down the stretch keeping Missoula in contention before eventually breaking through in the ninth. 

Cody Thompson, and Joey Lancellotti would both pitch clean frames in the seventh, and eighth not allowing a single baserunner. Newman would then put Glacier away in the ninth after Missoula took the lead to earn his third save of the season on the hill. 

The long ball would keep Missoula in the game before the rally in the ninth inning. Willman would get Missoula on the board in the fourth with a solo blast that made the score 3-1. It would be a professional debut to remember for the former New Mexico Lobo who would finish 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Later in the eighth, Brandon Riley would cut the Glacier lead to one with a solo home run of his own to make the score 3-2. Riley would finish up 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

Missoula (14-9) was slated to play a rescheduled game opposite the Billings Mustangs Monday in Missoula. However, due to the forecasted weather conditions, that plan has been called off. This means Missoula will not be in action until Tuesday June 21 when they open a 3 game set opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars (16-7). It will be the first matchup between the two teams this season after meeting in the Northern Division playoffs last September. First pitch from Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Hear all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.