Mustangs Can't Hold On

The Mustangs held two separate one-run leads, but the Paddleheads answered in both instances to win 6-2 Saturday evening. Despite the loss, Brandon McPherson tossed five strong innings giving up just one earned run on three hits, two walks and three strikeouts and he received a no decision. The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the third, as Brady West drew an eight-pitch walk with one out. Taylor Lomack singled to bring Connor Denning to the dish, and he singled West home to give the Mustangs the lead. The Paddleheads picked up a run in the bottom of the third on a one-out hit by pitch to allow McLain O'Connor to reach. He reached second on a Ryan Cash walk, then Jake Guenther singled to bring home O'Connor and tie it at 1. McPherson left the go-ahead runner at third stranded in the bottom of the fifth, while the Mustangs left a go-ahead runner on at second in the sixth despite two separate chances to bring Alejandro Figuererdo home. The Mustangs picked up a run in the seventh with some great baserunning. Luke Fennelly hit a single to center field. Mitch Moralez sacrificed himself with a bunt, and West walked. West then tried to steal second, and Luis Navarro's throw sailed into center field allowing Fennelly to score as the Mustangs led 2-1. The Paddlheads answered again in the home half, as O'Connor hit a two-run go-ahead homer off McLain Harris, and Jake Guenther hit another two-run homer to make it 5-2. Brandon McPherson pitched the eighth inning, giving up three walks to lead off the inning, and Ryan Cash hit one home on a sac-fly. Guenther hit a fly ball to Brendan Ryan in center, and O'Connor tried to advance from first but the throw by Ryan cut him down to end the inning. The Mustangs couldn't amount any offense in the top of the ninth. The 'Stangs face a crucial game three of the six-game Jefferson Lines Road Trip Sunday afternoon. You'll find coverage starting at 1:55 p.m. with first pitch at 2:15 p.m. on ESPN 910/105.5 KBLG or ESPN 910.com. You can also watch every pitch on FloSports.