Missoula Attack Supports Stellar Outing from Wenzel in Victory 

Ogden, UT.- The Missoula PaddleHeads would follow a similar script from the previous 2 games in game 3 of the series opposite the Ogden Raptors on Friday night. For the third consecutive evening, the PaddleHeads would bring runs across in the top of the first as RBI singles from Clay Fisher, and Nick Gatewood set the tone. The Raptors would push back with a late rally down the stretch, but in the end the PaddleHeads would earn their third win in as many nights by a final tally of 11-8.

The PaddleHeads offense would take control in the early going scoring 8 runs over the first four innings to jump out to an 8-2 advantage. Brandon Riley would get Missoula back on the board in the second knocking in a run on a single. It would be a night to remember for Riley who would finish 4-for-5 with 2 doubles, and an RBI.

A pair of two-out hits in the fourth would bring in 4 more for the PaddleHeads to extend the advantage to 6. Fisher would drive in a pair on a double into left center and would later be driven in by the next batter Cameron Thompson who singled him home to make the score 8-2. Thompson, and Fisher were both 2-for-5.

The run support would prove to be plenty for starter Palmer Wenzel who was very impressive in his first professional start. The former Texas Longhorn would throw 6 innings allowing only 2 earned runs while striking out a season high 7 batters to earn the win. Missoula’s starting pitchers are 3-0 with a 3.31 ERA over the first three games of the series.

Jared Akins would put the game out of reach in the in the seventh hitting an opposite field home run to left to drive in three to make the score 11-3. Akins has been on roll in recent weeks recording hits in 12 of his last 14 and has homered 5 times in his last 10. Akins would finish the game Friday 2-for-4.

A pair of doubles would get something going for the Raptors in the seventh as they attempted to climb back into it. Troy Dixon would bring home a run on the second double that nearly cleared the wall in left to get Ogden back on the board. Reese Alexiades would later cut the PaddleHeads lead to 4 on an RBI single to right. Alexiades would enjoy good success in the loosing effort finishing 3-for-5 with 3 driven in.

Missoula (55-29) (20-16) remained tied atop the second half standings with the Billings Mustangs (38-46) (20-16) as both teams would find their way into the win column Friday. The Idaho Falls Chukars (53-32) (19-18) would fall 1 ½ games off the pace with a loss to the Boise Hawks (42-43) (22-15) who currently lead the second half standings in the south by 2 ½ games.

The PaddleHeads will look to clinch a series win Saturday in game 4 opposite the Raptors at Lindquist Field. Catch every pitch of the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.

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