Missoula Impact Notches Solid Win over USA Prime Four Corners in V Tool Colorado Summer Invitational, 4-2

DENVER - Nolan Oschell scattered three hits in six dominant innings to lead the Missoula Impact Baseball Club to a victory over USA Prime Four Corners, 4-2, in the V Tool Colorado Summer Invitational tournament at All-Star Park in Lakewood, Colorado.

Nick Karvandi led Impact with two hits, including a ringing triple that sparked a three-run second inning. Landin Ramsay, Cole Smith, and Oschell also had key hits to spark the Impact attack. Missoula played sparkling defense to back Oschell’s solid outing and strung together solid at-bats in key situations.

Oschell buckled down and made big pitches in the first two innings, allowing only one run despite lots of traffic on the bases. The big right-hander got stronger as the game went on, demonstrating solid command. He faced only the minimum in his last three innings, retiring eight USA Prime hitters and picking off the one player that reached base. Oschell walked three, notched four strikeouts, and allowed the one earned run, the only earned run in his last 20 innings on the mound. The spectacular showing on the big stage affirmed Oschell’s status as a tantalizing college prospect.

Sawyer Tackett earned the save by pitching out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the seventh inning, retiring the final two hitters on fly balls to right field.

Karvandi led off the bottom of the sixth with a smash into left field for a single, stole second base, and moved to third on a groundout. Tackett delivered a clutch RBI grounder to add an insurance run, stretching the lead to 4-1.

The win was significant given the high level competition. The elite USA Prime squad plays a summer season that includes Perfect Game and other tournaments in Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Cincinnati.

“We came here to make a name for ourselves and prove that Missoula Impact Baseball is a legit program,” said Ryan Roche, Missoula Impact Manager. “Nolan pitched with exactly that mentality, while offensively we did what we needed to do. It was a great way to start the tournament and turn some heads.”

USA Prime jumped ahead with a run in the first on two singles and a walk, but Oschell pitched his way out of trouble. Smith got things going for Impact in the first inning with a sharp single to left, but Missoula couldn’t score. However, Oschell buckled down in the second and made big pitches, getting out of the inning unscathed, stranding five runners in the first two innings to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Karvandi laced a screaming liner into the right field corner for a triple and scored moments later on a wild pitch to tie the game. Matt Doty and Madden Hensel worked two-out walks and Oschell lined an RBI  single to right center. Ramsey followed with an RBI single down the left field line to expand the lead to 3-1. Smith worked a 12-pitch walk, but Missoula left the bases loaded.

Oschell received strong defensive support including a nice play by first baseman Dillon Gunlock to cut down a run at the plate and then a nice dig by Gunlock on a close play at first. Smith, Hensel, and Hunter Johns made nice running catches in the outfield.

Missoula is back in action today at 2:00, facing the 970 Sun Devils, a club from the Greeley area with an impressive list of college commits.