Early Offense Powers Missoula to Sweep of Mustangs

Missoula, MT - Fans would arrive at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park on Friday  night looking forward to a post game fireworks display as the Missoula PaddleHeads would host the Billings Mustangs in the series finale. After victories in each of Missoula's first two games, the PaddleHeads looked to end the opening home stand of the season with a sweep of the rival Mustangs. Thanks to some offensive fireworks in the early innings from the Missoula offense, the PaddleHeads would do just that. 

Missoula  scored 10 runs in the first three innings of action with a 7-run rally in the second innings highlighting that stretch to jump out to a 10-1 advantage. Billings would only tack on a pair the rest of the way, and never led at any point in the contest as the PaddleHeads cruised to a 13-3 victory. 

After scoring 3 runs in the first, Missoula would bring 10 batters to the plate in third to break the game wide open taking a nine run lead. Cameron Thompson would get things started with a double and would later score on a triple from right fielder Lamar Sparks. First baseman Jayson Newman would later deliver the big blow with a towering blast into left field to bring home two more runs. Newman would also double home a pair in the sixth finishing the game 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs. 

Jason Munsch would do well protecting the lead in five innings of work to earn the win in his first start with the PaddleHeads. The former Brewers farmhand allowed three runs over those innings while striking out 5. The California native also did well limiting damage in the outing as the Mustangs never scored more than one run in a single inning. After Munsch's departure, the PaddleHeads pen  would once again turn in a fantastic performance. 

The combination of Nathan Alexander, John LaRossa, and Quintin Longrie held the Mustangs scoreless over the final four innings of action. It was the second time in the series the bullpen had done that. Furthermore, in 10 ⅔ innings so far this season, the PaddleHeads bullpen has allowed only one earned run.

With the victory, Missoula moved its record to (3-0) as the Mustangs (0-3) will now look to bounce back over the weekend in their first home games of the season opposite the Northern Colorado Owlz (0-3). 

The PaddleHeads will now hit the road for the first time this season to square off with the Great Falls Voyagers (3-0) on Saturday night at Centene Stadium. It will be an early season road test for Missoula as both teams will look for an early advantage in the Northern Division standings. First pitch from the Electric City is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Listen in to all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.