Guenther Drives in 4 in 10-1 PaddleHeads Win Over Mustangs

MISSOULA, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads made their final regular season appearance at Dehler Park on Wednesday night in the rubber match of a 3 game set opposite the Billings Mustangs. The PaddleHeads offense would be in search of a bounce-back performance after being held to 2 runs in a loss the day before. It would only take one half inning for Missoula to surpass that run total in a big night for the offense. =

The PaddleHeads attack would waste no time setting the tone as Missoula would bring all 9 batters to the plate in the top of the 1st as part of a 4-run rally. That would end up being plenty of support for starter Izzy Fuentes who would go on to have his best outing of the season in 6 innings of work limiting the Mustangs to just 1 run. The Missoula offense would leave nothing to doubt down the stretch scoring 5 unanswered runs in the final 2 innings to pull away for a 10-1 victory. This win combined with a Range Riders loss Wednesday saw Missoula extend its lead in the Northern Division standings to 6 games.

The PaddleHeads recorded 4 hits in the top of the 1st to jump out in front 4-0. A 2-run single from Dondrei Hubbard would get things started in the inning. Jacob Kline would also knock in a run with a base hit as part of the rally after a sacrifice fly from Jake Guenter. Hubbard, and Kline both would enjoy productive nights with Kline finishing 3-for-5 while Hubbard was 2-for-4. Guenther would provide plenty more support as well offensively in the later innings. 

Fuentes would not allow a single run after the 1st inning in his outing allowing the PaddleHeads to stay comfortably in front. The Southern California native would strike out 5 over 6 innings to earn the win. The 3rd year professional would retire 8 batters in a row from one stretch to the 2nd through the 4th. The former Grand Junction Rocky has come into form especially in his last 2 starts allowing 3 earned runs over his last 11 innings while striking out 11 in those innings. 

Missoula would put the game on ice in the final 2 innings scoring 5 unanswered runs over the final 2 frames to put the game well out of reach. Guenther would be the driving force in that stretch. The TCU product would get the PaddleHeads back on the board in the eighth with a long home run into right center to make the score 7-1. The Wisconsin native would also bring home run on a single in the ninth bringing Missoula's advantage to 8. Guenther would finish the game 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and 4 RBIs. 

John LaRossa, and Lui Fuenmayor would tie up the Mustangs in 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to ensure Missoula would leave nothing to doubt. The duo would allow only 1 base runner over the final 3 frames. LaRossa has been on a roll over his last 9 ⅔ innings pitched having allowed only 1 run in that stretch while striking out 12. 

The PaddleHeads (29-10) saw their advantage grow to 6 games over the 2nd place Glacier Range Riders with the win Wednesday. Missoula will now return home for a 3 game series that opens Thursday opposite the Ogden Raptors (24-14). This will be the first of 9 games between these 2 clubs this season. First pitch from Allegiance Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. If you can't make it to the park listen to the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.