Greenwalt Wins Game 1 Over Raptors in ‘Knockout Round’

MISSOULA, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads opened the 2nd half of the Pioneer League season on Tuesday night in game 1 of a 6 game slate opposite the Ogden Raptors. After both teams won the 1st half pennant in their respective divisions, these squads would search for an early boost of momentum at Allegiance Field. Missoula would jump ahead in the early innings only to watch Ogden battle back into things down the stretch in the final 3 frames. After the dust settled in regulation, action would be deadlocked at 7 runs apiece. This meant that it was 'Dinger Time' in the Garden City as the PaddleHeads would face their first 'Knockout Round 'of the regular season. 

The Raptors would send Designated hitter Damien Henderson to the plate in the 1st round of the knockout. The Utah native would hit one to the track in the round, but would fail to clear the wall with any of his 5 swings. This left the door open for PaddleHeads center fielder Keaton Greenwalt. Needing just 1 home run in the round, Greenwalt would not let things get dramatic. The 2nd year PaddleHeads would launch the first pitch he swung at over the left field fence giving Missoula their first knockout win of the season. 

After the Raptors drew first blood in the early going, the PaddleHeads attack would take their first lead in a flurry in the bottom of the 4th. A run of 5 consecutive batters would record hits in the inning as part of a 5-run rally that saw Missoula take a 5-1 advantage. Designated Hitter Dondrei Hubbard would get things started with an RBI single in the frame that tied the game at 1. A double from Cameron Thompson would then give Missoula a 3-1 advantage. Catcher Austin Bernard would then deliver the big blow on a 2-run bomb that gave the PaddleHeads a 4-run advantage in a blink. Thompson would finish 1-for-3 in the win. Bernard, and Hubbard would both chip in with 1-for-4 efforts. 

After Ogden cut into the Missoula lead in the top of the 7th, the PaddleHeads would see their lead jump back to 4 with another with a 2-run rally of their own. Patrick Chung would score the first run of the frame on balk as part of a push that made the score 7-3. Jake Guenther would also knock in McClain O'Connor in the frame on a fielder's choice to round out the scoring. Chung had a very productive night offensively finishing 3-for-4 in the win. Despite this advantage, Ogden proved they were not intimidated down the stretch with clutch efforts in the final 2 innings. 

Pioneer League home run leader Reese Alexiades would give the Raptors a chance late with a 2-out 2- run home run in the top of the 8th cutting Missoula's advantage to just 2. Alexiades would finish the night 1-for-5. Still facing a 2-run deficit in the 9th, Ogden would prove to have more clutch at-bats in them to bring the game level. 

A long single off the bat of Nick Ultsch would bring the Raptors to within a run of the lead in the top of the ninth making the score 7-6. Cameron Phelts would then tie the game with an RBI groundout later in the frame deadlocking the score at 7. Mark Simon struck out Alexiades to end the frame one batter later however to keep the score tied at the end of regulation. This proved to be very relevant as Missoula would have the upper hand in the 'Knockout' which allowed the PaddleHeads to get off on the right foot in the 2nd half. 

Missoula (36-13) will look for momentum after the dramatic game 1 victory opposite the Raptors (31-18) in game 2 of the series on Wednesday night. First pitch from Allegiance Field is scheduled for 7:05. If you cannot make it to the ballpark for another 'Woof Wednesday' in the Garden City, be sure to tune in on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.