Mustangs Hold Off Missoula 8-5 to Win Series Opener

BILLINGS-The Billings Mustangs roared out to an 8-1 lead and held off a Missoula comeback to earn their elusive first win against the Missoula Paddleheads in the 2022 campaign, winning 8-5 on Tuesday night at Dehler Park.

Billings (18-13, 43-34) snapped a string of 11 straight losses to Missoula (21-10, 56-22) dating back to last season and eight straight in 2022 to earn their fourth win in a row and ninth win in their last ten games.

The Mustangs got off to a strong start against Missoula starter Mark Timmins. In the first, Crews Taylor led off with a single, moved to second on a balk, then to third on an error. In his first plate appearance as a Mustang, Juan Teixeira lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Taylor for the game's first run.

An inning later, Billings added on. Brian Parreira led off with a double and scored two batters later on a double from Bryce Jackson. Two singles later, Taylor drove in Jackson before Jordan Hovey capped off the rally by bringing home Jordan Barth on an infield single to third. The Mustangs led 4-0.

Mustang starter Kenny Serwa meanwhile, held Missoula down through four innings, scattering four hits and striking out six. In the fifth, Missoula got on the board, though. Keaton Greenwalt reached on an infield single with one out, then stole second. With two outs, McClain O'Connor lined an RBI single to left, cutting the Billings lead to 4-1.

In the sixth, though, Billings extended the lead against Missoula reliever Nate Boyle. After a leadoff single from Gabe Wurtz, Andrew Fernandez doubled in a run. Bryce Jackson followed with a ground ball to second, but O'Connor muffed it, scoring Fernandez. After loading the bases, a wild pitch brought home Jackson before Teixeira lifted his second sac fly, putting the Mustangs ahead 8-1.

Missoula, though, mounted a rally in the seventh. Three straight singles opened the inning, chasing Serwa with the bases loaded with no outs. Foster Pace came in and induced a ground out and sac fly, both of which brought in runs. Jayson Newman followed with an RBI double into the right-field corner which brought in a run, but an excellent relay from Hovey cut down Newman trying to stretch the hit into a triple to end the inning.

With an 8-4 lead, Elijah Gill made his first relief appearance on the season and worked himself into and out of a bases-loaded jam, but ultimately allowed no runs.

In the ninth, McLain Harris came on and struck out the leadoff man. However, a walk and two singles brought in a run. After another strikeout, Harris departed for Zach Penrod, who was making his Mustang debut. On a full count, he induced a fly out to right, finishing off an 8-5 win.

The Mustangs will play game two against the Missoula Paddleheads on Wednesday night at Dehler Park. Billings will start LHP Patrick Maybach (1-3, 6.45) while Missoula will throw RHP Connor Schultz (1-1, 10.66). Pregame on Wednesday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:15 ahead of a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.