Mustangs Hit Two Homers, but Fall 13-3 at Glacier

KALISPELL-The Billings Mustangs hit two home runs, but the Glacier Range Riders scored multiple runs over four straight innings to run away from the Mustangs in a 13-3 win, sending the Mustangs to their fourth loss in five games.

Glacier (17-28) secured the series victory with the win, while Billings' (23-21) streak of five straight series victories comes to an end.

In the top of the first inning, the Mustangs jumped on top. With two outs, Gabe Wurtz lined a 2-1 fastball from Glacier starter Noah Barros off the scoreboard in left-center field for a solo home run, his 12^th of the season. That put the Mustangs up 1-0.

After a scoreless second, Glacier struck against Mustang starter Sean Kiley in the third. The right-hander struggled to find the plate to begin the inning, walking the first two batters on nine pitches. After a sacrifice bunt, Ryan Cash blasted a full-count offering off the right field wall for a two-run double. Sam Linscott followed with an RBI single, putting Glacier ahead 3-1.

The Mustangs were able to cut into the deficit in the fourth. A double from Wurtz and two walks loaded the bases with one out. After a strikeout, Jordan Barth came through with an RBI single, scoring a run and cutting the deficit to one. However, a strikeout ended the inning, leaving the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the fourth, things went south for the Mustangs. Kiley allowed a leadoff single, then hit a batter and issued a walk to load the bases with no outs. Pearson McMahan came on but was unable to stop the bleeding. By the time the inning was through, five runs had scored and Glacier led 8-2.

In the middle innings, Glacier continued to build to the lead. In the fourth, Glacier again loaded the bases with no outs, getting two runs out of it.

In the sixth, Bryce Jackson connected for his second home run in as many nights, but it was only a temporary reprieve as the Range Riders again loaded the bases in the sixth and scored three times to build a 13-3 lead.

The Glacier offense cooled off in the late innings, but the Mustangs never could mount a comeback threat, and the Mustangs fell 13-3.

The Mustangs will play the penultimate game of the seven-game series in Kalispell against the Glacier Range Riders on Saturday. The Mustangs will start RHP Kenny Serwa (0-0, 0.00), while Glacier will throw RHP Rob Hamby (2-1, 5.00). Pregame on Saturday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:45 ahead of a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.