(Billings Mustangs release)
BILLINGS – The Billings Mustangs (1-5) picked up a pair of timely runs to top the Great Falls Voyagers (3-3) 2-0 Thursday night to close their six-game homestand at Dehler Park.
Nick Lodolo made his professional debut for the Mustangs in the game, getting the start on the mound. The seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft, the left-hander would throw just one inning on a tight pitch count and did not disappoint. The former TCU Horned Frog gave up a single to the first batter he saw, but struck out the next two and caught Camilo Quinteiro stealing to face the minimum in the inning.
Omar Conoropo (1-0) backed him up with five stellar innings of relief, the longest outing by a Billings reliever this season. Conoropo gave up just one hit, walked one and struck out four in five shutout innings.
The Mustangs had trouble figuring out Great Falls starter Carter Love at first, striking out six in the first four innings before Billings got a run across in the fifth.
Leonardo Seminati led off the fifth with a single, Quincy McAfee singled two batters later and both would score on the two-RBI double of Victor Ruiz.
After Conoropo’s clean top of the sixth, rain and hail moved into the area to force a weather delay. That delay would eventually turn into the closing of play on the day. As the game had gone long enough to be declared an official game, the win was awarded to the Mustangs — their first of the year.
The Mustangs now head on the road for a six-game road trip. They begin with three games in Idaho Falls against the Chukars starting Friday, June 21. First pitch at Melaleuca Field is set for 7:15 p.m. MDT.
