PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey Rally Past Billings, 5-4

Published on August 1, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT. - The Missoula Osprey (25-16) trailed 3-0 and had just two hits through five innings, but the Osprey came alive for four runs on four hits in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead before eventually earning a 5-4 victory over Billings (19-22) on Friday night from Ogren Park Allegiance Field.

Marcus Wilson led off the inning with a single before a walk to Luke Lowery put runners at first and second. Jason Morozowski singled home Wilson on the ensuing play before Lowery came home on an errant throw to first on a double-play turn from second baseman Brantley Bell. Still trailing by a run with two on and two out, Matt McPhearson answered the call for Missoula, shooting the first pitch he saw into right field for a clutch two-out RBI-single to put the Osprey on top.

Left-hander Anfernee Benitez, who got the start for Missoula, left the game in line for a victory after turning in a quality start, but ultimately took a no decision. Benitez contributed 6.0 innings and allowed just three runs on five hits, highlighted by back-to-back homers from Reydel Medina and Ed Charlton in the fifth, while striking out four.

Though it led 4-3 headed to the seventh, Missoula would need one more run to claim victory after Billings scored a run in the top of the seventh on an RBI-triple from Charlton to knot the tally at 4-4. Wasting no time, the Osprey punched right back in the seventh inning, scoring the eventual winning run when Mike Abreu doubled and came home on an error charged to first baseman Kevin Franklin one play later.

Abreu finished the game 2-for-3 with the double and a run scored, notching his first multi-hit game of the season.

While he allowed the game-tying run to score in the top of the seventh, Austin Mason benefitted from the one in the home half as he earned the victory and moved to 2-0 with the decision. Keegan Long fired a scoreless eighth inning before Dan Savas contributed a 1-2-3 ninth, including posting two strikeouts, to convert his Pioneer League-best 10th save.

Missoula will continue the four-game series with the Mustangs tomorrow at 7:05 pm MT.

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