Walks trouble Ballers in Friday night loss to Paddleheads
Sixth inning goes south in defeat
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
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2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 | X | 15 | 9 | 0 |
By Gareth Kwok
MISSOULA, MT – 23 free bases and 14 walks hindered the Oakland Ballers on Friday night in a 15-3 loss to the Missoula Paddleheads at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park, evening the series at two games apiece.
After Missoula (13-9) scored a pair of first-inning runs, Oakland starting right-hander Aidan Risse (L, 1-2) settled in and pitched the next four innings in scoreless hitless fashion. At one point, he retired 10 of the next 11 batters faced.
Oakland (9-13) supported Risse with three runs in the fourth off Missoula starting left-hander Jaren Jackson (1-2). A one-out RBI single from Jaden Collura put the Ballers on the board before an RBI double from Nick Leehey tied the score at two. A go-ahead sacrifice fly from Nick Poss gave Oakland a 3-2 lead.
Missoula responded in the sixth, scoring nine runs on only four hits and one error. Risse walked three in the inning, including a bases-loaded walk to Mike Koszewski, before Campbell Spradling replaced him. The Ballers starter finished the night with 5.1 innings pitched, allowing six runs on four hits, seven walks and two strikeouts.
The left-hander Spradling faced five batters and did not record an out, allowing five runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter. The Paddleheads sent 13 men to the plate in the frame.
Missoula scored four more in the seventh against Jake Tirk, who walked five in 1.1 innings pitched. Enzo Apodaca delivered the biggest hit as he cleared the bases with a two-out, three-run double to center.
Besides the troublesome fourth inning, Jackson completed six innings and struck out seven, allowing six hits and one walk to earn his first win of the season. Mark Timmins, Grant Garza and Matthew Taubensee combined for three scoreless innings and four strikeouts to seal the Paddleheads win.
Noah Blythe went 2-for-4 on the night, marking his seventh consecutive multi-hit game. He's now batting .581 (18-for-31) with 12 RBI over his last seven games.
The Ballers continue their six-game series on Saturday night against the Missoula Paddleheads. Right-hander Charlie Hurley will start for Oakland. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m from Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 5:20 p.m on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel and HomeTeam Network.
