Mustangs Come up Clutch, Outlast Owlz in 9-4 Victory

GREELEY-The Billings Mustangs pounded out 15 hits and successfully held off the Northern Colorado Owlz to secure a 9-4 victory in the series finale at Jackson Field in Greeley, Colorado.

Abraham Mow had three hits and three RBI for Billings (5-7, 30-28) and Beaux Bonvillain struck out five in a six-out save to end a four-game losing streak by the Mustangs against Northern Colorado (6-5, 23-32).

The first four innings were quiet as starters Kelvan Pilot for Billings and Austin Schneider for Northern Colorado. Pilot allowed just one hit and fanned six over the first four frames while Schneider struck out five in that span.

In the fifth, the Mustangs struck first. After a hit and walk, Schneider was lifted. CJ Grant-Debose came in and induced a double play, but a throwing error on the ensuing play allowed a run to score, giving the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, though, the Owlz tied it up.  After a walk and a single, Marshall Rich laid down a bunt single that brought in a runner from third, knotting things up at one apiece.

In the sixth, though, the Mustangs regained the lead. With one out, Jacob Kline lined a shot over the wall in right field for a solo home run, his sixth of the season. The Mustangs weren't done though, as Brian Parreira walked and scored all the way from first on a double to left by Mow to put the Mustangs up 3-1.

NoCo battled back, though, as a single and walked chased Pilot with one in the sixth. Cameron Phelts hit a chopper up the middle, but legged out the back end, scoring a run on a fielder's choice to bring the Owlz within one.

In the seventh, though, the Mustangs came through with a big rally. Three straight singles began the inning, with Andrew Fernandez driving in a run. After a double play, the Mustangs put two on with two outs for Mow, who ripped a two-run double to deep center. Jordan Barth followed with an RBI single to left to score Mow, capping off a four-run frame that gave the Mustangs a 7-2 lead.

It would not be an easy trip to the finish line, though, as the Owlz rallied against Ragins and Foster Pace in the seventh. Two runs scored and the Owlz had two men in scoring position with two outs. However, with the tying run at the plate, Pace struck out Dakota Popham to end the inning.

Bonvillain then entered the fray in the eighth inning and was promptly greeted by two singles. The Owlz then attempted a double steal, but Parreira threw out the trail runner, Euro Diaz, putting a runner at third with one out. The lefty buckled down and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

In the ninth, the Mustangs added two more. With two men in scoring position, Owlz reliever William Kirwan uncorked consecutive wild pitches to gift the Mustangs two more runs, pushing the lead to 9-4.

Bonvillain came back and struck out three more in the ninth, working around a two-out double to nail down the first save of his professional career.

The Mustangs will have Monday off before beginning a four-game home stand against the Glacier Range Riders on Tuesday night at Dehler Park. Starters for both teams are to be determined. Pregame on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:15 Tuesday ahead of a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.