Pena’s blast helps Missoula past Range Riders

MISSOULA — Roberto Pena blasted his seventh home run of the season as the Missoula Paddleheads defeated Glacier 6-2 Thursday at Ogren Park.

Pena’s long ball capped off a four-run second inning for the Paddleheads (6-4) that put them ahead for good. 

Angel Mendoza put the Range Riders on the board in the fifth with a solo shot to left, his first homer of the season. 

Colin Gordon added some insurance for Missoula with a solo home run in the seventh. 

Glacier got one back in the ninth with a Xavier Casserilla single to left that drove in Gavin Tonkel. A groundout from TJ Clarkson and a fly out from Kingston Liniak with runners on second and third ended the game. 

Ryan Wentz picked up the win for the Paddleheads after throwing five innings and allowing one run on six hits. He struck out three. Arman Sabouri closed out the final inning. 

Grant Taylor takes the loss for Glacier, he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings. He fanned five and walked three. 

The six-game series continues Saturday at 7:05 p.m.; both teams have taken two wins in the first four games. 

Glacier    000    010    001    -    2    8    2 

Missoula    040    000    11x    -    6    9    2 

Grant Taylor, Luke Cooper (7), Davis Pratt (8) and Angel Mendoza. Ryan Wentz, M Alba (6), Zac Lampton (8), Arman Sabouri (9) and Nich Klemp. 

GLACIER — JD McLaughlin 1-2, Xavier Casserilla 2-5, TJ Clarkson 0-5, Kingston Liniak 0-5, Kenneth Lecari 2-4. Efrain Mazo 1-3, Logan Beard 0-3, Gavin Tonkel 0-3, Angel Mendoza 2-4. 

MISSOULA — Colin Gordon 1-4, Roberto Pena 2-5, Mike Rosario 1-4, Adam Fogel 0-3, Alec Sanchez 0-4, Nich Klemp 0-3, Kamron Willman 3-4, Taylor Smith 1-3, Colby Wilkerson 1-4. 

2B — Rosario. HR — Mendoza (1). Gordon (4), Pena (7). RBIs — Casserilla, Mendoza. Gordon 2, Pena 2, Wilkerson.