06-20-2009

Pinnacle Gives Billings the Royal Treatment with Come From Behind Victory

Catcher AJ Simpson Gathered Three Critical Walks

Courtesy: Mudville Sports Information

Pullman, WA - Mudville Pinnacle (24-6, 2-0) scored nine runs in the final four frames to defeat the Billings Royals 11-8 at Bailey-Brayton Field. 'The Nine' used six different pitchers to defeat the pesky Montanan crew in barn-burning affair.

Pinnacle's bullpen combined with key backstopping by Catcher AJ Simpson preserved the win. Simpson didn't allow a steal and protected the ball in the dirt. Billings scored six times in the bottom of the second and twice more in the bottom of the third as their rallies were fueled by untimely M9 errors and misplays. Mudville maintained their composure as they continuously stopped base loaded Royal rallies in four different innings. Left-hander Cam Wilson (2-0) gained his second victory of the season in relief, inducing a key 2-out ground ball to the Royals clean-up hitter with bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth. Seafth Howe started the game and was relieved by Patrick Vandergrift in the fourth. Vandergrift gave way to Wilson in the fifth, Wilson to Connor Sjolander in the sixth, ending with Troy Colyer gaining his second save of the year. Colyer struck out the side in the seventh.

Offensively, Pinnacle scored 11 runs on 8 hits, 8 walks and one Billings error. Centerfielder Jeff Melby hit the first pitch of the game over the left field fence for a quick 1-0 lead. The Nine took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning with First baseman Matt Boyd's single, a steal of second and a Simpson ground ball to the right side to score Boyd. Mudville scored four in the fourth on two singles by DH Peter Summerville and Shortstop Daniel Schmidt combined with four walks.

Trailing 8-6 in the top of the sixth, Melby lead the inning with a single, a steal of 2nd base, his second steal of the game. Melby scored on a RBI single by 2nd baseman Troy Colyer. After a Royal double play, Summerville was hit by pitch on his first offering. On a 3-1 count, Boyd served up the 2-run, blow to give Mudville a lead they would never relinquish. It was Boyd's fifth homerun of the season. Pinnacle added two more insurance runs in the seventh with Simpson's third walk of the game, a double by Outfielder Troy Perry and a sacrifice fly by Colyer.

Mudville must sweep their doubleheader today against Shockers and Baden to move into championship play in Sunday's single elimination playoff.