Three Home Runs Lead Mustangs to 5-3 Win
Published on June 11, 2023 under Pioneer League (PL)
Billings Mustangs News Release
The Billings Mustangs jumped on Glacier starting pitcher for two home runs in the bottom of the 4th on the way to a 5-3 win Sunday afternoon.
The Mustangs (5-13) salvage the six-game series with two victories.
Glacier (11-5) took the lead in the top of the 3rd - the first time in the series the Mustangs kept the Range Riders off the board in the 1st. Starting pitcher, left-hander Cam Tullar, tossed the first two innings giving up no runs on two hits and five of his season-high six strikeouts through two innings. Tullar retired shortstop Gabe Howell in the top of the 3rd, but back-to-back singles by right-fielder Crews Taylor and catcher Matt Clayton put Tullar in a tough spot.
Tullar responded by picking up his sixth strikeout when he punched out Jackson Raper for the second time. Center-fielder Kingston Liniak hit a ground-ball to Billings shortstop Casey Harford, but Harford committed an error to score Taylor from 3rd to make it 1-0. Tullar gave up no earned runs through three innings, while giving up just one walk and four hits.
Mustang designated hitter Mitch Moralez responded in a big way with a first-pitch home run over the left field wall to tie it up at one. Moralez finished the day 1-2 with two walks and the solo home run.
Third-baseman Tyler Wilber hit a single with one out in the inning, and two batters later, first-baseman Lance Logsdon hit his first career home run - a 418 foot mammoth shot for two runs over the right-field wall to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.
Two-way man Luke Trueman (1-2) entered the game in the top of the 4th and spun three-and-two-thirds innings giving up two runs on five hits while picking up three strikeouts. He earns the win.
The Mustangs picked up much-needed insurance with a lead-off solo home run by left-fielder Gabe Wurtz to make it 4-2. Wilber followed with his second hit of the game, a double down the right-field line en-route to a 3-4 game. The three-hit day is the first of the season for Wilber and his fourth multi-hit game of the season.
For the second straight game, the Mustang relievers, excluding position player Bryce Donovan, combined for a scoreless effort. After Trueman exited in the middle of the 7th, left-hander Hunter Schilperoort struck out Liniak to end a threat with a runner on at 2nd, with one run already scoring on a double from third-baseman Jackson Raper.
Schilperoort tossed one-and-a-third innings, giving up no runs on no hits, no walks and the strikeout on Liniak.
With the score at 5-3, the Mustangs called on right-hander Tyler Statler to close the game. With one out, Taylor hit his third single of the game in a 4-5 effort, but Statler sent down the next two batters on a ground ball to short and a fly-ball to left field to give the Mustangs their second win in three games.
Mustang relievers have now combined for the last seven innings without giving up a run.
The Mustangs have a day off Monday before hosting Great Falls for a three-game home series Tuesday. You'll find coverage on ESPN 910/105.5 FM or espn910.com. You can also watch every pitch on FloSports.
Pioneer League Stories from June 11, 2023
- Guenther's Four Hit, Two RBI Night Aids PaddleHeads in Victory - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Three Home Runs Lead Mustangs to 5-3 Win - Billings Mustangs
- Vibes Snap Six-Game Losing Streak against the Hawks - Rocky Mountain Vibes
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