Mustangs Rally Back From Deficit In Win Saturday

MISSOULA, MT- A big rally in the bottom of the 6th inning sent the Missoula crowd into a frenzy in Saturday's contest between the Missoula PaddleHeads and Billings Mustangs. The PaddleHeads would take their first lead of the night as a result after trailing by as many as 5 runs in the early innings. This push of success would prove to not trip up Billings however as they would come right back with success of their own to regain the lead in the next half inning. The Mustangs would also hold the line from that point. 

A triple from Gabe Wurtz would bring in a pair to bring Billings right back to the lead in the top of the 7th inning making the score 7-6 to highlight a 3-run rally. The Mustangs would tack on another run in the next half thanks to a home run to grab a 3-run advantage. This would prove to be plenty of support for the back end of the Billings bullpen holding Missoula off the board in the final 3 innings of play. The end result would be a 10-7 win for the Mustangs. 

After 2 quiet frames, the Mustangs would jump to the lead in the top of the 3rd with a 4-run rally. A single from Casey Harford would get things rolling in the inning bringing home the 1st run of the frame. After an RBI groundout, 2 more runs would score in the inning on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0. Harford would be productive throughout finishing 2-for-3. Missoula would hang around however in the middle innings thanks to the long ball. 

A pair of solo home runs would keep the PaddleHeads within striking distance in the 4th and 5th innings. Roberto Pena would get Missoula on the board in the 4th with his 2nd home run in as many nights to make the score 5-1. Cameron Thompson would strike an inning later hitting a home run to a very similar place on the field to make the score 6-2. A big run of success would bring Missoula to the lead in the next half inning. Thompson would finish 1-for-3 and Pena would wrap things up finishing 2-for-5. 

Missoula would bring 9 batters to the plate in a 5-run 6th inning. RBI singles from Carlos Perez and Taylor Smith would do the first damage in the inning. After a hit batter loaded the bases, Patrick Chung would rip a double down the right field line to clear the bases making the score 7-6. Chung would finish the night 2-for-5 and Smith would wrap his night finishing 2-for-4. Success offensively the next 2 innings however would flip things quickly. 

The Mustangs would outscore the PaddleHeads 4-0 down the stretch to erase the push from the 6th inning. After the big swing from Wurtz in the 7th, Brendan Ryan would bring home another run with a solo home run to left field to give Billings a 3-run advantage. The Mustangs pen would do the rest. Ryan scored 3 runs in the win in a 3-for-5 effort. Wurtz would knock in 3 finishing 2-for-5. 

Brenden Medoro would successfully bring calm to the waters out of the bullpen for Billings after Missoula's rally in the 6th. The right hander would toss 2 ⅔ scoreless innings striking out 3 batters. The Mustangs would then turn to Jonothan Habb for the 9th inning for the 3rd time in the series. 

The Closer would set down the side in order for the 3rd consecutive time to earn his 12th save of the season. The Flame thrower would strike out a pair in a clean 9th to bring the game to a close. Now game 96 awaits for both ball clubs to wrap up the regular season. 

A Sunday Matinee affair at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park will bring the regular season to a close in a battle between the Mustangs (46-49), and PaddleHeads (61-34). First pitch on a 'Kids Free Sunday' is scheduled for 2:15. Catch all the action in Missoula's final regular season game on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.