Mitch Trees Has the Perfect Night as Billings Downs Helena, 9-2
A night after falling in 13 innings, Mitch Trees wanted to leave no doubt about who was going to take this contest. The Billings Mustangs catcher had a perfect night, going 4-4 with a homer and 4-RBI to lead his team to a 9-2 victory over the Helena Brewers. The performance helped to make a winner of Matt Blandino, who won his third ballgame of the season.
The Mustangs would take the lead in the top of the first inning against Brewers starter Alec Bettinger. Back-to-back singles by Jeter Downs and Francis Azcona started the inning. With runners at the corners, Stuart Fairchild hit into a double-play, but Downs scored on the play to make it 1-0.
Helena took the lead in the bottom of the second. Jay Feliciano led off the inning by hitting his third homer of the season to tie the score. Two batters later, Zach Clark lined a single into right field and he moved to second on a single by Yerald Martinez. Matt Blandino struck out Chad McClanahan for the second out of the inning, but the inning remained alive when Franly Mallen reached on an error by the pitcher. That loaded the bases, and when Nick Roscetti reached on a fielder’s choice, Helena had the 2-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth, the Mustangs retook the lead. With two down, Leandro Santana drew a walk and he moved to second on a single by Alejo Lopez. That brought Mitch Trees to the plate, who lined a double that skipped over the wall for a ground rule double. Santana scored with Lopez moving to third and that would be it for Bettinger.
Michael Peterson came on for Helena and was greeted by a single by Zeke White. Lopez scored easily and Trees beat the throw to the plate to make it 4-2. White moved to second on the throw and he scored on a base hit by Carlos Rivero that made it 5-2.
In the fifth, Billings took a commanding lead. Fairchild and Montrell Marshall led off with back-to-back singles. Andy Sugilio then grounded to third, and Dallas Carroll fired home to get Fairchild. That put runners at first and second with one out. After a walk to Santana, Lopez walked, driving home Marshall to make it 6-2. A single by Trees scored Sugilio and Santana to make it 8-2.
In the eighth, the Billings Mustangs added one more run. Trees led off the inning by lining his second home run of the season over the left field wall. That made it 9-2.
Matt Blandino (3-0) remained undefeated, allowing 4-hits in 6-innings. He gave up one-earned run and struck out 3. Andrew McKirahan, Yerry Santos, and Connor Bennett each tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Mustangs.
Mitch Trees was 4-4 with 2-runs and 4-RBI. Leandro Santana walked three times and scored twice. Jay Feliciano led the Helena offense, going 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
The Brewers welcome the Missoula Osprey for a three-game set starting Saturday night. Dylan File (0-0, 4.50) starts for Helena. Tyler Vail (0-0, 10.03) goes for Missoula.
By Robert Pannier
