Mustangs Roar Back to Beat Boise in Knockout

BILLINGS-Jackson Raper had four hits, two homers, and five RBI to lead the Billings Mustangs to a five-run comeback to defeat the Boise Hawks 9-8 in a knockout round on Thursday evening at Dehler Park.

Billings (21-15) earned their eighth win in their last ten games, which is also is the first knockout round victory of the season for the Mustangs. Boise (13-25) has lost nine of ten.

Both pitchers retired the side in the first inning, but Boise struck first in the second. With one out, Ryan Walstad jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Yasnier Laureano and deposited it beyond the right-field wall to put the Hawks ahead 1-0.

In the third, things got worse for Laureano. After retiring two of the first three hitters of the inning, Laureano surrendered a two-out RBI single to the Tyler Jorgensen. Two pitches later, Juan Teixeira hit a two-run home run just inside the left-field foul pole, doubling Boise's lead to 4-0.

However, the Mustangs had their own answer. With two outs, a single put runners on the corners for Raper, who detonated a first pitch fastball into the parking lot in right field for a three-run homer, cutting the deficit back to one run.

Unfortunately, Boise again put together a big inning. Laureano struggled to find the zone in the fourth, walking four batters and allowing an RBI single. He left behind a bases-loaded, one-out jam for McLain Harris, who allowed two of the runners to score. Even through Jalen Garcia ended the inning by throwing out a runner at the plate, four runs scored and Boise's lead had grown to 8-3.

Meanwhile, the Mustangs had opportunities to cut the deficit in the middle innings, but stranded a pair of runners in both the fourth and fifth innings, including wasting a second-and-third, one-out situation in the fifth.

However, in the sixth the Mustangs mounted a comeback bid. With a runner on and two down, Crews Taylor ripped an RBI triple into the right field corner. Jordan Hovey followed by yanking a 1-2 pitch over the right field wall, trimming the deficit to 8-6 on his fourth home run of the season.

The Mustangs were able to bring the tying run to the plate in both of the seventh and eighth innings against Boise relievers Noah McBride and Matt Dallas, but couldn't come up with the big hit.

In the ninth, though, that changed. Hovey led off with a single, then Raper struck again with one out. He drove a first-pitch fastball from Dallas well over the right-field wall for his second homer of the night, tying the game up with his fourth hit and fourth and fifth RBI.

Gabe Wurtz walked and stole second, but was stranded there to end the ninth, sending the game to a knockout round. Boise's Jacob Cruce failed to homer on his five allotted swings, setting the stage for Bryce Jackson, who cleared the right field wall on his fourth swing, completing the comeback win for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs will play the middle game against the Boise Hawks on Friday night. The Mustangs will send RHP Jean Correa (4-0, 4.23) to the hill while Boise counters with RHP Buddie Pindel (2-1, 2.20). Pregame tomorrow night 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.