PaddleHeads Get Back On Track in Win Over Mustangs

MISSOULA, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads offense would be searching for answers in the early going opposite the Billings Mustangs Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 heading into the 4th in game 4 of the series, the PaddleHead attack probably felt some pressure after only tallying 2 runs the game prior. However, at times a game can flip on its head in one quick sequence. Thanks to one 4 batter stretch in the bottom of the 4th, the PaddleHeads would do just that. 

Keaton Greenwalt would single to lead off the 4th to kick things off. After consecutive walks to the next 2 batters, Cameron Thompson would walk to the plate with the bases loaded. The 3rd year PaddleHead would take advantage of the situation, launching a grand slam over the right field wall to bring Missoula in front 4-2. Missoula's attack would really get things going later, scoring 8 runs combined in the 6th, and 7th. This effort combined with a solid outing from starter Alfredo Villa meant Missoula would never  be challenged down the stretch in a 12-6 win. 

Billings would grab the lead in the early going scoring a pair in the first 2 innings. After plating a run in the 1st thanks to an error, Billings would bring home their 2nd run in the next inning thanks to a clutch swing. Rookie Brendan Ryan would knock home a man with 2-outs with an RBI single to make the score 2-0. Tacking on runs would not be something that would become a trend for Billings however as Villa would settle in from this point. Ryan would finish 1-for-4. 

Villa would bring his win total to 9 with his 6 fabulous innings of work. The Arizona native would only allow 1 earned run over those innings while striking out 7 batters. After allowing the RBI single in the 2nd inning, Villa would retire 12 of the next 13 batters he faced to complete his outing. Villa now leads the league in wins (9) strikeouts (97) by himself. 

Missoula's attack would put things away in the 6th, and 7th innings with sizable rallies in both frames. Dondrei Hubbard would kick off a 5-run rally in the 6th that saw Missoula extend the lead to 9-2. An RBI double from Hubbard would be a highlight moment on a night that saw the Texas native reach base 4 times as part of a 3-for-4 effort. Ryan Cash would put on the finishing touches hitting his 3rd home run of the season to right. Cash finished his night 2-for-5. 

Missoula would see the lead extended to its largest margin in the 7th thanks to Patrick Chung. The 2nd year PaddleHead would double to left field to knock in a pair to give the PaddleHeads a 12-3 advantage. Billings would tally a few runs late but this would be inconsequential. Chung enjoyed a solid night in the win finishing 2-for-3. 

The PaddleHeads (49-18) evened up the 6-game set at 2 games apiece with the game 4 win over the Mustangs (28-39). Missoula also saw its lead expand to 3 ½ games in the 2nd half pennant race with the victory ahead of game 5 on Wednesday night. Action opposite the Mustangs is set to begin at 7:15 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.