Host UpperDeck Expos AA Down Missoula Impact, 9-1, in Billings Tournament Championship

Host UpperDeck Expos AA Down Missoula Impact, 9-1, in Billings Tournament Championship

By Dave Smith

BILLINGS – The Billings UpperDeck Expos AA team took control early and sailed to a 9-1 victory over the Missoula Impact Baseball Club to win the Expos’ Tournament Championship at Rocky Mountain College.

Missoula’s Carson Bay led off the game with a sharp single to center but Billings starter Zender Holst escaped by setting down the next two hitters and then retiring Cole Smith on a liner to left field. Billings jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the first on singles by Dylan Byrd and Ethan Osness followed by an error and a walk. Missoula clawed its way back in the second on a line drive single to center by Hunter Johns, an error, walk to Dillon Gunlock, and a bases-loaded walk to Bay, making it 3-1.

Easton Mitchell tossed a gritty 4 and 2/3 innings for Missoula, surrendering only two earned runs on six hits, keeping Impact in the game. However, the Missoula hitters only managed a single by Matty Herzog the rest of the way. Billings steadily stretched out the lead and put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

“We proved we can play right with this team the other night,” said Michael Hutcherson, Impact Manager, referring to his team’s contested 7-5 loss late Friday evening. “But give the Expos credit, they simply out-played us today. Nevertheless, I couldn’t be more proud of the resiliency of our kids this weekend. We played through a lot of adversity and still went all the way to the Championship. This is a great group of young men and I’m just proud to have been part of this amazing season.”