Mustangs Beat Owlz After Epic Battle of Eight Knockout Rounds

The longest Knockout Round in PBL history took place on Saturday in Billings, as it took eight rounds for the Mustangs to break the deadlock and get a win that guaranteed their third series win in a row and the second place in the North Division Second Half standings. The Mustangs scored first in the game, through a Connor Denning homer to right field. Northern Colorado then replied with four unanswered runs, including a home run by Henry George, who had a three-hit game. Billings scored two more in the sixth before Alejandro Figueiredo drove Denning in with a single RBI in the bottom seventh to tie the contest. In the Knockout Round, a long battle ensued, as the wind became a factor to keep close balls inside the walls and proved an obstacle. Abdel Guadalupe and John Michael Faile each got a homer in the second round before many close calls happened in the four ensuing rounds. In the eighth round, Brendan Ryan went long to right field, another ball that was nearly kept in by the wind, but just strong enough to go over the wall and walk off after almost 40 minutes since the KO Round started. The Mustangs will now bid for a home sweep of the Owlz starting at 1:05 PM on Sunday from Dehler Park in Billings.  

Rocky Mountain 7, Ogden 6: Vibes Dominate Early and Contain Late Push by Raptors to Keep South Division Lead 

A close clash in the South Division on Saturday saw the hosting Vibes get an important win to keep the lead in the division for the Second Half standings, now four games ahead of its rivals. Rocky Mountain dominated the game early on, scoring six runs in the bottom half of the second and third innings, including a home run by Stephen Wilmer. The Raptors' bats woke up in the top fifth with a Logan Williams three-run triple. Wilmer added an insurance run in the following inning, as got his fourth hit of the game in as many ABs, also adding a walk to his tally later. Dakota Conners then singled twice to score an RBI in each opportunity to bring the contest close, but the Raptors ultimately would fall short. On the mound, Nico Zeglin had nine strikeouts for the Vibes in 4 2/3 innings of work. After dropping a series earlier in the week at Ogden, the Vibes will now attempt to sweep the Raptors at home on Sunday at 1:05PM in Colorado Springs.  

Missoula 10, Great Falls 4: PaddleHeads Blast Voyagers Late to Extend Lead in Standings 

Missoula got an important away win on Saturday to guarantee the series and extend their lead in the North Division Second Half standings, now over three games above Billings and 4.5 over Great Falls. The PaddleHeads entered the fifth inning in a 2-2 tie before scoring eight unanswered runs through the course of the following four innings. The Voyagers would score again twice in the bottom ninth, both times via fielder's choice, but the PaddleHeads were well beyond reach. McClain O'Connor and Dondrei Hubbard each had three-hit games for Missoula. The PaddleHeads will try for an away series sweep with the early start at 11:30 AM from Great Falls, where it's Pepsi Kids Eat Free Sunday. 

Idaho Falls 6, Grand Junction 4: Chukars Make it Three in a Row Over Jacks 

Idaho Falls has reached three wins in a sequence, allowing them to climb the North Division Second Half standings. The hosting Jackalopes scored first in the bottom first, before the Chukars added six runs between the fourth and the seventh innings. The Jacks scored two more in the bottom seventh but couldn't produce any more runs later in the game. Jorge Gonzalez got the win after seven innings pitched for the Chukars, with just two earned runs and six strikeouts, while Bryant Bagshaw got his fifth save of the season, as for the Jackalopes Trey Morrill got eight strikeouts on five and a third innings. The Chukars will attempt to get their second series win this week and sweep the Jacks away on Sunday at 2:05 PM from Grand Junction. 

Glacier 11, Boise 9: Range Riders Survive Hawks Push to Escape With a Win in Boise 

After getting a home series win against the Hawks earlier in the week, Glacier has now positioned itself to make it two in a row after leveling the contest in Boise on Saturday. The Range Riders started the game in the lead, going five up by the top fourth, including a three-run double by Jackson Raper. In the bottom half of the fourth Kole Kaler went the long way with a three-run homer to cut Glacier's lead to two. The Ranger Riders would then add four more before a home run to left-center by Sean Skelly would spark Boise with five runs in the bottom seventh to bring the score to a one-run difference. Glacier's bullpen showed up in a big way at the end of the game, as Roy Robles fanned all three batters in the bottom eighth and after Colin Gordon added the insurance run in the top of the ninth, Justin Coleman took the mound to strike three Hawks out and guarantee the win and his seventh save of the season. Noah Barros had another strong outing for the Range Riders, with six strikeouts in five innings of work. Boise will take place on Sunday at 1:05 PM when the Boise Papas Fritas host Kids 12 and under for free with a complimentary hot dog and a chance to run the bases after the game. Fans can also bring their dogs to the ballpark with Bark in the Park Sundays at Boise