Billings Mustangs Playoff Preview

September 11, 2022

Billings Mustangs

Unlike the Paddleheads, the Mustangs didn’t have a postseason spot wrapped up after the first
half. They were in fourth place with a 25-21 record when the half ended, and began the second
half going just 9-12. However, they fired off nine wins in their next 10 games to put themselves
in playoff position, before dropping five of seven to see their lead dwindle. The Mustangs then
rattled off seven consecutive wins, clinching the final playoff spot in the last week of the season
over Idaho Falls.

Outfielder Gabe Wurtz led the charge offensively, hitting .304/.363/.563 with 20 homers, 24
doubles, and 81 RBIs. Wurtz ranked fifth in the league in homers and was tied for sixth in extra-
base hits. Infielder Jackson Raper was also strong, hitting .306/.377/.525 with 11 homers, 27
doubles, and seven triples. He ranked fifth in the PBL in both doubles and triples. Billings also
received contributions from outfielder Juan Teixeira, who came over in a trade with Boise this
summer. In 16 games, Teixeira hit a scalding .393/.471/.696 with two homers, seven doubles,
and two triples, while driving in 11 runs and drawing nine walks against six strikeouts.

The Mustangs’ pitching staff allowed the fewest runs in the PBL and excelled at keeping the ball
in the yard. They were led by starters Elijah Gill, Kenny Serwa, Pablo Arevalo, Ethan McRae,
and Kelvan Pilot. Gill’s 3.26 ERA was the best among pitchers with at least 80 innings, and he
allowed just eight homers. Serwa struck out 50 batters against just nine walks, allowing only four
homers and recording a strong 2.44 ERA. Arevalo pitched at least six innings in all five of his
starts after coming over from Ogden, turning in a solid 2.76 ERA with 30 strikeouts against five
walks. McRae won Pitcher of the Week in late August, and allowed just two homers in 32
innings. Pilot worked both as a starter and a reliever, winning Pitcher of the Week multiple
times.

In the bullpen, Foster Pace and Beaux Bonvillain were both stalwarts. Pace won eight games,
registering a solid 3.13 ERA and walking just 11 batters in 54 ⅔ innings. Bonvillain served as
the team’s closer, racking up 10 saves and 62 strikeouts while pitching to a dominant 1.73 ERA
in 41 ⅔ innings. Furthermore, Bonvillain walked just seven batters and allowed just one homer.

“I’m looking forward to it, I’m anxious, it’s going to be quite a challenge facing Missoula, but
it’s one of those things where as a group we know it’s going to be challenging, it’s professional baseball and you’re going against the best,” said manager Jim Riggleman ahead of the series
opener. “They’re (Missoula) a heck of a ballclub.”