The Billings Mustangs (27-7) swept a doubleheader from the Missoula PaddleHeads (16-19) on Saturday at Allegiance Field, winning 10-5 in Game 1 before rallying for an 11-8 victory in Game 2.
The sweep clinched the season series for the Mustangs over the PaddleHeads, as they improved to 7-1 against Missoula with four meetings remaining.
The home team jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opener, but the Mustangs answered with the next seven runs and never looked back.
Jacob Gutierrez hit his first professional home run, a two-run shot to highlight the offense as part of a three-hit game. Cameron Bowen also homered, launching a solo blast off the scoreboard in left-center field.
Cole Calnon (3-1) tossed a complete-game victory in the seven-inning contest, becoming the second Mustangs pitcher to throw a seven-inning complete game this season. Calnon's streak of 25.2 consecutive innings without issuing a walk, the longest by any Pioneer League pitcher this season, ended in the fourth inning when he walked Nich Klemp.
In Game 2, the PaddleHeads again struck first, building a 6-1 lead through four innings.
Billings stormed back with five runs in the fifth to tie the game before Missoula answered with two runs in the bottom half. The Mustangs responded again, scoring five times in the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game at 11-8.
Aaron Calhoun (1-0) earned the victory with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief as Lucas Hartman recorded his second save in as many opportunities, striking out the side in a scoreless ninth despite allowing a pair of two-out singles.
The Mustangs conclude their six-game road trip in Missoula on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander David Hankins is expected to start for Billings. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm.
