A blazing start established the momentum for the Missoula PaddleHeads in a dominant 24-3 victory over the Billings Mustangs on Friday night at Ogren-Allegiance Park.
Zootown’s professional baseball team sent 12 batters to the plate in a phenomenal first inning that resulted in nine runs, all scored with just two outs. Missoula added another six runs in the third inning, further solidifying their position as the best team in the Pioneer League with a record of 43-13.
The PaddleHeads ended the game with 26 hits compared to three hits for the Mustangs (26-30). Four Missoula players hit a home run, including Adam Fogel, Roberto Pena, Mike Rosario, and Kamron Willman, who had recently returned from the injured list.
Fogel went 5 for 6 with three doubles in addition to his home run and four RBIs. Rosario had a 4 for 5 performance, while Pena, Patrick Chung, and Alec Sanchez each contributed three hits.
Missoula’s starter Nick Parker secured the win, allowing only two earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts in six innings. Billings’ starter Ethan Ross was removed from the game with two outs in the first inning after giving up nine runs on seven hits.
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The PaddleHeads will face off against the Mustangs again on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Bill Speltz is Missoulian Sports Editor. Email Bill at bill.speltz@missoulian.com.
