6-Run 6th Inning Leads Missoula Past Glacier

Kalispell, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads would find themselves in a high leverage situation in the bottom of the 6th inning in the opening game of a 3 game set opposite the Glacier Range Riders. After facing this same opponent at home to start the week, Missoula would lead in the early going in their first appearance at Flathead Field on Friday night. After tallying a run in the 6th, Glacier would cut Missoula's lead to just 2 runs. With the bases loaded in the frame, Missoula would turn to the bullpen to hold the line. Thanks to Karl Blum, the pen would do just that in the clutch spot. 

Pinch hitter Crews Taylor headed toward the box in the 6th in a 3-1 contest in a bases loaded situation. After the departure of starter Zach Penrod, Blum would be called upon looking to hold the line. The Rutgers product came through in the clutch spot picking up the strikeout to keep Missoula out in front by a pair. Missoula's offense would take that momentum into the next half inning at the plate bringing home 6 runs to blow the game open in an 11-3 victory. In the process, the PaddleHeads extended their lead over Glacier to 5 games in the Northern Division standings. 

A solo home run from Kingston Liniak would give Glacier their only lead in the early going on a solo home run into right center field to make the score 1-0 in the 2nd. Each of  Liniak's 5 hits in action this week with Missoula  has gone for extra bases.  Despite this early jolt, Missoula's offense would get themselves rolling offensively a short time later. Liniak would finish the ballgame 1-for-3. 

Austin Bernard kicked off a 4-run rally in the 4th with a double as the PaddleHeads would grab their first lead of the game. Kamron Willman would later bring home Bernard with a single of his own to give the PaddleHeads a 2-1 advantage. 2 more runs would score in the frame thanks to an error. Defensive blunders would once again be a factor for Glacier committing 4 errors on the night. Bernard concluded the night finishing 2-for-4 and Willman was 2-for-5. 

Dean Miller provided a spark in the 6th to bring the Range Riders closer with a single to make the score 4-2. The PaddleHeads would not budge further in the inning however as Missoula would only allow one more run the rest of the way. The PaddleHeads would also waste no time getting a rally started in the next half inning. 

Jared Akins would lead off the 6-run 7th inning with a solo home run to bring Missoula's advantage to 5-2. A pair of doubles from McClain O'Connor, and Thomas DeBonville would fan the flames as the PaddleHeads kept pouring it on in the rally. Missoula brought 10 batters to the plate as part of the rally with the lead being stretched out to 10-2. Akins would have a fabulous night in the win finishing 3-for-6. Willman also chipped in with a 2-for-5 effort and DeBonville finished 1-for-5. 

Zach Penrod would turn in a solid effort on his 26th birthday Friday in 5 ⅓ innings. The southpaw would earn his 2nd win of the season striking out 6 batters while allowing just 2 runs. Austin Dill would also pitch well out of the pen striking out 5 in 3 innings of work. 

The PaddleHeads (17-5) will look for their 5th win in as many days opposite the Range Riders (11-9) on Saturday night in Game 2 from the Flathead Valley. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Hear all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.