Simon Holds The Line Late in 4-3 Win Over Raptors

MISSOULA, MT- The top two teams in the Pioneer League were locked in a tight battle throughout as the Missoula PaddleHeads squared off with the Ogden Raptors in the series finale Saturday. After the Raptors took an early lead for the 3rd night in a row, the PaddleHeads offense would claw their way back taking a lead themselves for the first time in the series in the 6th inning. Leading by 2 runs coming down the stretch in the final 2 innings, Ogden would put Missoula in a very stressful spot in a bases loaded jam. Missoula would turn to Mark Simon in the strenuous spot. The former league pitcher of the year would deliver a vintage performance to get the PaddleHeads out of the jam. 

Simon would inherit a bases loaded situation with 1-out in the 8th. After a run scored on a walk, Simon would slam the door shut in the eighth striking out pinch hitting Nick Ultsch to end the frame with the bases loaded. The 3rd year PaddleHeads would make sure the top of the 9th was drama free, striking out a pair in a clean inning to clinch a 4-3 victory over the Raptors. Simon would earn his 5th save of the season in the process in 1 ⅔ innings pitched. With the win, Missoula saw its advantage over the Glacier Range Riders stay at 4 games j  the Northern Division entering the final 6 games of the 1st half.

Ogden drew first blood in the top of the 3rd inning thanks to a clutch swing with 2-outs. Juan Teixera got a pitch he could handle with 2 strikes driving a 2-run blast over the wall in left to make the score 2-0. Teixera would have a very productive night finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. The 3rd inning would prove to be a blip on the map for PaddleHeads starter Zach Penrod who would deliver another solid outing. 

The Idaho native allowed only 2 runs over 5 innings of work on 3 hits. The southpaw would also strike out 8 batters in those innings while walking just 2. Penrod has struck out 21 batters in his last 13 innings pitched while issuing only 3 walks in that stretch. The PaddleHeads offense would begin to get back on the comeback trail themselves in the 3rd. 

Second Baseman Ryan Cash would knock in the first run of the night for Missoula on a 2-strike single up the middle to make the score 2-1. After a leadoff double started the 4th, shortstop McClain O'Connor would race home on a wild pitch to knot things up at 2 runs apiece. Cash, and O'Connor would both finish the night 1-for-4. After a few quiet innings on both sides, Missoula would take its first of the night in the 'peanut inning.' 

Third baseman Patrick Chung would put Missoula in front for the first time in the 6th with a leadoff home run that cleared the wall in right to make the score 3-2. This would be a lead the PaddleHeads would not let go of the rest of the way. O'Connor would score on a wild pitch in the next half inning to give Missoula the cushion they needed down the stretch to pick up the win late. Chung wrapped up the night 1-for-4. 

Lui Fuenmayor, and John LaRossa would both pitch well out of the pen down the stretch in 2 scoreless innings. The pair would only see one base runner reach against them combined. LaRossa would also strike out the side in the top of the 7th continuing his fabulous season out of the bullpen. The New York native has struck out 25 batters in just 15 ⅔ innings out of the pen. 

Missoula (30-12) now enters the stretch run of the 1st half of the Pioneer League regular season. After an off day Sunday, Missoula will open a 6-game set on the road opposite the Great Falls Voyagers (13-26). The PaddleHeads  also control their own destiny in the 1st half pennant race holding a 4 game advantage over the 2nd place Glacier Range Riders. First pitch from Centene Stadium on Monday is set for 7:00 p.m.. All the action can be heard on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.