Mustangs Fall Short in Series Opener vs. Boise, 7-6

BILLINGS-Gabe Wurtz connected on his ninth home run of the season, but the Billings Mustangs could not hang on to a late lead as the Boise Hawks scored two runs in the eighth to pull out a 7-6 win in the series opener at Dehler Park on Tuesday night.

The support from a season-high crowd of 2,294 was not enough to will Billings (11-11) to a win as Boise (10-14) won their third straight.

Boise jumped ahead in the early going against Billings starter Logan Dubbe. Boise loaded the bases with one out in the first on two singles and a walk. Sean Skelly followed with a ground-rule double down the left field line that scored the first two runs of the game.

The Hawks then doubled the lead in the third as Skelly lined another double, this time to the gap in right-center, which drove in Juan Teixeira. Skelly then came home on an RBI single from Raymond Gil.

Billings had an answer in the bottom of the inning as the Mustangs put together a two-out rally against Boise starter Mitch Lines. Jordan Hovey ripped a double off the left-field wall and came home on a triple to right by Jalen Garcia. Garcia then scampered home on a ball in the dirt, making the score 4-2 after three innings.

Boise then answered back in the fourth as a leadoff walk, single, and a fielder's choice, which extended the lead to 5-2.

However, the tide turned to the Mustangs in the fifth. A one-out walk and a double from Hovey put two in scoring position for Garcia, who Lines buckled down to strike out. Lines could not get the third out, though, as he threw a wild pitch to score a run, then walked Jackson Raper. Wurtz then followed with a long home run to right, putting the Mustangs up 6-5 on his ninth longball of the season.

From there the score held into the late innings. Boise put two on with two outs in the seventh, but Foster Pace picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

The Mustangs, though, would not be as lucky in the eighth. Pace allowed back-to-back hits to begin the inning. He was lifted for Beaux Bonvillain, who proceeded to get two outs, but hit a batter to load the bases. Al Pesto then entered to face Teixeira, who worked a full count. He then lined a fastball up the middle to score two runs and put the Hawks up 7-6.

Billings had an opportunity in the 8^th, loading the bases on a hit and two walks with one out. Abbott Haffar entered the game, though, and picked up a strikeout and groundout to end the inning and preserve the lead.

The Mustangs then hit two flyouts to the warning track and got a single from Garcia to put the tying run on base, but could not come up with the equalizer, falling 7-6.

Game two between the Mustangs and Hawks will take place on Wednesday evening. LHP Elijah Gill (0-0, 1.50) goes for the Mustangs while Boise counters with LHP Gavin Gorrell (1-0, 4.76). Pregame tomorrow will begin at 6:15 p.m. on ESPN 910/105.5 with Brennan Mense on the call ahead of a 6:35 first pitch at Dehler Park