PaddleHeads Score 15 Runs in 4th Inning to Cruise Past Glacier

Missoula, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads squared off with the Glacier Range Riders on a sun splashed Sunday afternoon at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Having won each game played this week opposite Glacier, the PaddleHeads would look to keep it rolling to bring their winning streak to 9. After a relatively slow start offensively, Missoula would see Glacier lead after the first three frames. After a scoreless top half of the fourth however, things would change in a big way. 

Henderson Perez would lead off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single. That would prove to just be the start as the next 8 batters would also all reach base. When it was all said and done, Perez would have 3 at-bats in the same inning. The PaddleHeads would also score an astonishing 15 runs in the frame. That would be more than enough to put the game on ice for Missoula who would go on to win by a final tally of 22-14. The PaddleHeads now also have a chance to clinch the first half pennant in the Northern Division for the second consecutive season with a victory in their next game on Tuesday 

The PaddleHeads would bring 20 batters to the plate as part of the absurd rally in the bottom of the the fourth. Missoula would record 11 hits in the frame. Brandon Riley would clear the bases with a triple in the frame before McClain O'Conner would launch his fifth home run of the season one batter later to provide a few highlights. Consecutive doubles from Nick Gatewood, and Keaton Greenwalt would also do damage in the frame. 

Missoula would see 9 players in total finish with at least two hits in the game. Perez, Riley, and Nick Gatewood would all finish with 3 hits as Keaton Greenwalk would finish with 4. Jared Akins, Cameron Thompson, and Kamron Willman would chip in with 2 hits apiece as well. Despite all of this production, Jayson Newman would find a way to stand out in the crowd with his performance. 

Newman would help the PaddleHeads tack on some more runs for good measure in the fifth inning with a towering 2-run blast to make the score 20-9. The Southern California naitve would finish 5-for-6 with 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored. In the process, Newman became the first player for the PaddleHeads to record 5 hits in a game this season. The Cal State Northridge product also leads the Pioneer League in home runs (17) so far this season. 

Akins, and newly acquired infielder Alex Ludwick would round out the scoring for Missoula in the sixth with a pair of RBI singles to bring Missoula's run total to 22. The single for Ludwick was the first of his professional career in his first ever plate appearance as a pro. The PaddleHeads would also record a season high 29 hits in the victory. Akins would finish 2-for-2 while Ludwick was 1-for-2. 

The PaddleHeads (31-10) will now have a day to reflect on their recent success as Monday will be an offday for the club after playing on 12 consecutive days. When Missoula gets back to it Tuesday, they will have a chance to clinch the Pioneer League North opening a 6 game slate on the road opposite the Great Falls Voyagers (25-16). First pitch from Centene Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.