PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey Bullpen Comes up Big in 6-5 Win

Published on August 26, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


GREAT FALLS, MT - For four innings Sunday night it looked bleak for the Osprey as Great Falls built a 5-1 lead and knocked an Osprey starter out of a game early for the second night in a row. Up stepped the Osprey bullpen as Trent Autry, Jake Polancic, Blake Workman, and Bryan Menendez combined to shutout the Voyagers over the final 5 innings. Meanwhile, the Osprey offense turned it on by scoring 5 runs in the 5th through 7th to reward the pitching with a 6-5 come from behind win. Osprey C Nick Dalesandro's RBI single brought home 3B Buddy Kennedy with the winning run in the 7th . Missoula remains only 2 ½ games behind the first place Billings Mustangs, who also won on Sunday.

Great Falls got the scoring started right away as CF Romy Gonzalez lead off the 1st with a solo homerun. Later in the inning, 2B Amado Nunez tripled home Bryce Bush to make it 2-0 Great Falls. In the 2nd, Osprey 1B Zac Almond mashed his 13th homerun of the season, a solo shot to make 2-1 Voyagers. However, Great Falls extended their lead with two more in the 3rd and one more in the 4th . In the 3rd, back to back doubles by RF Logan Sowers and Nunez plated the two runs. In the 4th, a Gonzalez sacrifice fly made it 5-1 Great Falls as Osprey Edgar Martinez was knocked out the game early.

Then the Missoula bullpen stepped up and delivered. They kept the Voyager bats at bay the rest of the way while the Osprey offense got to work. Trent Autry and Jake Polancic combined to hold the Voyagers scoreless in the 5th and 6th innings while Missoula chipped away at the Voyager lead. In the 5th, 2B Brandon Leyton got a two out RBI single to bring home DH Joe Robbins and make it 5-2. In the 6th, the Osprey pulled to within one as Robbins doubled to right center to score Almond who had reached on an error and RF David Sanchez tripled home Robbins with a smash to deep center. Then in the 7th, the Osprey took the lead for good. Leyton started it with a double and advanced to third on a Kennedy single. Almond then singled home Leyton setting up Dalesandro's game winning base hit.

Blake Workman and Bryan Menendez then closed it out as they pitched the final three innings in scoreless fashion. Menendez got his 8th save of the season.

The Osprey and Voyagers conclude the 3-game series on Monday at 7:00pm in Great Falls. Fans can hear the game on ESPN Missoula 102.9 with the pre-game beginning at 6:45. The Osprey return home on Tuesday for a huge 4-game series next week against the 1st place Billings Mustangs. The series begins on Tuesday, August 28th and runs through Friday, August 31st . Tickets are on sale now at the MSO Hub in downtown Missoula or by visiting the Osprey at www.missoulaosprey.com.

Check out the Missoula PaddleHeads Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pioneer League Stories from August 26, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central