The Billings Mustangs (17-4) used a six-run seventh inning to claim a 10-5 victory over the Glacier Range Riders (13-9) on Friday night at Dehler Park.
Billings opened the scoring in the third inning when Charlie Muniz delivered an RBI single to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
Glacier answered with four runs in the top of the fourth, scoring all of them on three home runs to move in front 4-1.
The Mustangs responded immediately in the home half of the inning as Michael Soper highlighted the frame with a game-tying two-run single to extend his personal hitting streak to ten games.
The game remained tied at four until the seventh inning.
Mustangs starter Cole Calnon turned in a solid outing, allowing four runs across six innings while striking out four without any walks.
Billings broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending 11 men to the plate while scoring six times against three different Glacier pitchers. Adam Cootway delivered the go-ahead hit with a two-run double, snapping an 0-for-13 skid at the plate.
The inning also featured a tense moment after Jacob Gutierrez scored on a John McHenry RBI single. Following a collision at the plate between Gutierrez and Glacier catcher Donovan Ratfield, the Range Riders poured out of their dugout as both teams were issued warnings by the umpiring crew.
Tempers flared again in the eighth when Cootway was hit by a pitch after Muniz had drawn a four-pitch walk. Glacier pitcher Michael Byrne was ejected from the game, as was assistant coach Jackson Murphy.
Jackson Betancourt (2-0) earned the win for the Mustangs after allowing one run across the final three innings. Chris Canada (0-2) suffered the loss for the Range Riders.
The game also saw the first professional hits for Gutierrez and Jack Neyler. Each man has two knocks in the game as Neyler also picked up his first RBI.
The Mustangs and Range Riders continue their series on Saturday night at Dehler Park. Harry Orth is expected to start for Billings against Evan Langston of Glacier. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.