Pitcher Connor Schultz delivered an outstanding performance, pitching six solid innings as the Missoula PaddleHeads extended their winning streak to five games on Saturday with a 9-6 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers at Ogren-Allegiance Park.
Schultz, a former Iowa Hawkeye, allowed just two earned runs on seven hits while recording five strikeouts. The Zootown’s Pioneer League professional baseball team improved its league-best record to 14-3 in front of a crowd of 2,361.
Missoula took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game. First baseman Roberto Pena hit a solo home run in the first inning, and third baseman Collin Runge scored on a wild pitch in the second inning.
The PaddleHeads added four runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 6-0. Adam Fogel contributed with a two-RBI double, and Patrick Chung drove in a run with a double.
The Voyagers (3-14) scored their first run off Schultz in the fifth inning and added three more runs in the sixth inning, aided by an error. Arman Sabouri pitched a scoreless seventh inning, while Ethan Swanson pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Missoula.
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Andrew Garcia took the mound for the ninth inning for the hosts. Despite encountering some trouble and allowing two runs on two hits with two walks, he managed to strike out three batters, including Ryan Major, who came to bat with two runners on base and two outs with the score at 9-6.
Missoula recorded 13 hits compared to Great Falls’s 10 hits. Chung tallied two doubles, a single, and an RBI, while Runge collected three singles and scored five runs.
The PaddleHeads will face off against the Voyagers again on Sunday afternoon.
Bill Speltz is Missoulian Sports Editor. Email Bill at bill.speltz@missoulian.com.