Mustangs Ride Ten-Run Eighth to 16-4 Win

OGDEN-The Billings Mustangs scored ten runs in the eighth inning to blow open a tight game as Jordan Barth hit two homers and Ethan McRae pitched effectively into the sixth inning in a 16-4 win over the Ogden Raptors in the Mustangs final road game of the season on Saturday night at Lindquist Field.

Billings (23-19, 48-40) secured a winning season and also a series split as they finished the series with 45 runs over the final two games of the series. They also drew a season-high 12 walks off eight Ogden (20-22, 49-41) pitchers.

The Mustangs got off to a strong start. In the first, the Mustangs strung together three singles and also had a walk mixed in. Brian Parreira rolled a single through the right-side to bring home Crews Taylor for the first Billings run.

An inning later, Billings added on another run. On a 1-0 pitch, Jordan Barth blasted a ball over the wall in right-center field for a solo homer, his fourth round-tripper of the season. The blast also gave the Mustangs 100 on the season as Billings reached triple digits for the first time since 1963 and only the fourth time in their 69-year history.

An inning later, the Mustangs added two more. With two on and two-out, Andrew Fernandez lined a base hit to center field to score two runs, making it 4-0 Mustangs.

McRae did not allow hit over the first three innings, but Ogden got to him in the fourth. Three straight singles loaded the bases for Reese Alexiades who stroked a sacrifice fly to center to score a run. An inning later, Josh Broughton connected for a solo home run to make it 4-2.

After a two-out single in the sixth, McRae departed in favor of Foster Pace, who struck out Alexiades to preserve the lead. McRae went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits to earn his second win, needing just 64 pitches in the process.

In the seventh, Billings scored twice as Juan Teixeira doubled, moved to third on a bunt, and came home on a Gabe Wurtz single. After loading the bases, pinch-hitter Abraham Mow was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, putting Billings ahead 6-2.

Ogden answered back with two, though, as a solo homer from Sonny Ulliana opened the seventh. After a single, a groundout led to an RBI single from Broughton, making it 6-4. However, McLain Harris got the final two outs, then sat back and watch the offense put the game away.

In the eighth, the Mustangs sent 16 men to the plate, stroked seven hits, drew five walks, and had a batter hit as three Ogden pitchers threw a staggering 89 pitches in a 10-run frame.

Jordan Hovey had a key two-run single early in the frame,  Barth ripped a three-run shot, his second homer of the night, before Burle Dixon and Jackson Raper added RBI doubles and Wurtz capped it off with an RBI triple. The Mustangs led 16-4.

From there, Harris threw a 1-2-3 eighth and Zach Penrod struck out the side in the ninth, working around a one-out walk to lock down a 16-4 win to earn the split.

The Mustangs will have Sunday off before returning to Dehler Park on Monday afternoon to begin the final series of the series against the Idaho Falls Chukars. Billings will start RHP Kenny Serwa (4-2, 2.55) while Idaho Falls' starter is still to be determined. Pregame on Monday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 3:45 ahead of a 4:05 p.m. first pitch.