PL Billings Mustangs

Mustangs Take Both Games of Doubleheader to Maintain Lead in North

Published on August 24, 2019 under Pioneer League (PL)
Billings Mustangs News Release


BILLINGS, Mont. - On a day where the Missoula Osprey accomplished the same feat against the Great Falls Voyagers hoping to pick up ground in the Pioneer League North Division, the Billings Mustangs (18-7, 33-30) didn't give up an inch, topping the Idaho Falls Chukars (7-18, 28-34) twice, winning 3-2, 7-2 in front of 3,129 at Dehler Park in their third doubleheader of the season.

Game one was a continuation of Thursday's game that was suspended in play due to rain in the bottom of the first inning. The Mustangs would be out-hit 10-5 in the game, but two solo home runs would help them along to their sixth one-run win of 2019.

Leonardo Seminati hit his team-leading eighth home run in the bottom of the second to put the Mustangs up 1-0. Seminati finished the game a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI.

That lead was extended in the sixth on Victor Ruiz' first home run of the season, another solo blast to left.

Idaho Falls was able to tie the game at 2-2 in the eighth when Kember Nacero ground a single through the left side of the infield with the bases loaded to score two.

The Mustangs did not let that tie last long, however, as Eric Yang reached to lead off the bottom of the eighth when he was hit by a pitch and scored two batters later on Seminati's RBI double to center.

Omar Conoropo threw four innings of shutout relief for Billings, allowing three hits, one walk and striking out four.

Game two of the doubleheader developed much differently than the tightly played, low-scoring opener. Billings plated six runs inside the first two innings to establish a large lead they would never surrender. 10 batters came to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on just two hits with two walks, two errors and two hit batters.

Reniel Ozuna tripled in another two runs in the second on a liner into the right field corner. Ozuna had three RBI on a 1-for-2 night with three reaches in four plate appearances to take the team lead at 28 runs batted in on the year.

Miguel Medrano (3-3) was once again sensational for the Mustangs. The right-hander threw five innings, allowing one run on six hits, not issuing a walk and tying a career-high with 10 strikeouts. It is the second time in his professional career he has struck out 10 batters and the first time since June 10, 2017.

With the two wins the Mustangs maintained a 3 1/2 game lead in the North Division over the Missoula Osprey who also won two games of a doubleheader Friday against the Great Falls Voyagers.

The Mustangs and Chukars will play in game three of their four-game series Saturday, Aug. 24. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. MDT at Dehler Park.

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