PaddleHeads Breeze Past Mustangs 9-3 to Open 2022 Campaign

Missoula, MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads Professional Baseball Club opened the regular season on Wednesday night on a cool spring evening in the Garden City at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park opposite the Billings Mustangs. It was a festive night considering it was the opening game of the regular season. Furthermore, the PaddleHeads held one last celebration of their 2021 Pioneer League Championship before the game as well. Returning players, and front office members would receive their championship rings. As the night would progress, it was clear that celebration would only be the start of a fun night to be a PaddleHead.

The Mustangs would jump ahead in the early innings looking to challenge Missoula early. However, the offense for the PaddleHeads would come to life in the fifth inning and would never relinquish the lead from that point in a 9-3 victory. The PaddleHeads bullpen was also outstanding down the stretch holding the Mustangs offense scoreless over the final four innings.

The Mustangs lead 2-0 in the early going in the first two innings of play. Left fielder Nick Ultsch got the offense started with a solo home run in the second inning before knocking in another in the fourth inning on a fielder's choice. This gave Billings a brief 3-2 lead. That would be the final time Billings held a lead however as Missoula would outscore the Mustangs 6-0 down the stretch to pull away.

The PaddleHeads grabbed their first lead of the evening in the fifth thanks to a 2 run rally. One run would score in the frame on an error before right fielder Keaton Greenwalt  walked with the bases loaded. The former Phillies product finished the night  1-for-3 with 3 RBIs.

The fifth would prove to only be the beginning for the offense who would extend the lead to 7-3 thanks to another 2 run burst. After center fielder Lamar Sparks drew a bases loaded walk, designated hitter Nick Gatewood would drive in a run of his own. The fan favorite from last season would drive in another run in the eighth scoring Cameron Thompson on an RBI single as well finishing 2-for-4. Thompson would also have a night to remember finishing 3 for-5 with a pair of runs scored.

The offensive output by the PaddleHeads offense would prove to be more than enough for the PaddleHeads pitching staff. Stater Domingo Pena picked up right where he left off on the hill for Missoula  in 5 solid innings to earn the win. The native of the Dominican Republic now holds an 11-1 career record with the PaddleHeads dating back to last season.

The bullpen combination of Sam Hellinger, Quentin Longrie, and Cody Thompson would do the rest down the stretch to shut down the Mustangs' attack in 4 shutout innings of work. Hellinger would get things started with a pair of scoreless frames that included 4 strikeouts before Longire, and Thompson would both each pitch a scoreless inning.

This win for the PaddleHeads (1-0) is only one step on the journey that will be the 2022 season. The rival Mustangs (0-1) will surely be waiting in the wings ready for a chance to even the series on Thursday in Missoula. But for one night at least, the PaddleHeads were back in a place they routinely were a season ago. Which definitely seemed like a good first step to take.

Catch the PaddleHeads in game two of the series against Billings on Thursday night at Alligance Field at Ogren Park. It will be Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark with $3 domestic drafts, and $4  craft beers on tap. If you can't make it to the park listen to the action live on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. or stream the action on gopaddleheads.com. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m