Mustangs Defeat Vibes 8-1 On July 4

COLORADO SPRINGS-The Billings Mustangs ripped seven extra base hits to pull away from the Rocky Mountain Vibes 8-1 on the 4^th of July in front of 4,690 fans at UC Health Park.

The Mustangs ripped four doubles and three triples while stranding ten Vibes baserunners in a game that was cut to seven innings due to rain earlier in the day. In the process, the Mustangs won their fourth straight series.

After a rain delay of 90 minutes, the Mustangs got thing going right away against Rocky Mountain starter Jaasiel Ochoa. With one out, Mason Dinesen roped a triple into the gap in right-center field. Jalen Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to right which put Billings up 1-0.

Rocky Mountain had an answer against opener Beaux Bonvillain, though. A hit batter and single put two on with no outs, but the lefty induced a double play. However, Mike Annone stroked a base hit to left to score the run, tying the game up.

The Mustangs had a response against Ochoa, though. After the Rocky Mountain hurler retired the first two hitters in the second, Bryce Jackson doubled off the center field wall. He then came home on a Zach Threlfall triple to left-center. Mitch Piatnik ended the rally by dumping a broken-bat single to center, putting the Mustangs up 3-1.

On the other side, Sean Kiley followed Bonvillain and worked around multiple baserunners in the second and third innings. In the fourth, though, he loaded the bases with two outs and was lifted for Foster Pace. However, Pace induced an inning-ending flyout on his first pitch, preserving the lead and Kiley's scoreless streak, which extended to 18 innings.

The offense then went back to work. Dinesen hit a leadoff double in the fifth, moved up on a passed ball, and scored on a fielder's choice when he slid around a tag at the plate to push the lead to 4-1.

Billings then put the game away in the sixth and seventh. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out in the sixth. A fielder's choice brought in a run before Garcia ripped a two-run triple to extend the lead. In the seventh, Jackson Raper doubled off the right field wall then came home on two wild pitches.

Pace and Hunter DePrimo combined to quiet the Vibes offense over the final three innings as no runners made into scoring position as the Mustangs secured the series win with an 8-1 victory.

The Mustangs will have Tuesday off before returning home to Dehler Park to begin a five-game series against the Boise Hawks. The Mustangs will send LHP Darrien Ragins (1-1, 5.64) while Boise counters with LHP Gavin Gorrell (1-2, 4.64). Pregame on Wednesday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:15 ahead of a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.