PaddleHeads Sluggers On Single Season Home Run Record Chase
Pena & Fogel Look To Claim Pioneer League League Home Run Record
MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads are in the midst of a stretch of games at Allegiance Field throughout the month of August. Missoula's next 19 games will take place at home. Fans in Missoula will have the opportunity to catch the PaddleHeads in action opposite fresh competition as each of the PaddleHeads's 4 opponents on the homestand will play in their first series this season in the Garden City. Thanks a pair of the league's most feared hitters, PaddleHeads fans may have a chance to witness Pioneer League history to add to the excitement
Roberto Pena, and Adam Fogel have been 2 of the most prolific power hitters in the league since making their debuts as rookies last season. The duo has tallied 119 home runs combined to this point in their PaddleHeads careers dating back to 2024. This season both hitters have been sending baseballs into orbit all summer long holding the top 2 home run totals in the league. Not only that, these 2 players are on a home run chase in search of the Pioneer League single season home run record.
Pena tallied his 31st home run of the season in Tuesday's contest; this total is the current high water mark in the Pioneer League. It also is 4 home runs shy of the current Pioneer League single season record which was set by Fogel last season. Pena has also tallied 20 doubles on the season and currently leads the team in RBIs (93) while batting .335. While the focus may be on the 1st baseman in this race as the leader in the clubhouse at this point, the current record holder may also have something to say in this race to the top of the mountain.
Fogel tightened the race for the top home run mark in the league significantly with his performance in 6 games played last week. In that time, Fogel launched 7 home runs while tallying 17 RBIs in action with the Glacier Range Riders, and Boise Hawks. The left fielder also tallied a .615 batting average in that span while bringing his home run total on the season to 29. For his efforts, the slugger was named Pioneer League Hitter of the Week. Fogel holds the highest batting average on the team (.423) which also ranks 3rd in the league and has tallied 30 home runs.
With these 2 bats separated by only 2 home runs, the question becomes, who will be the king of the power hitting hill? Not only will 2 players be looking to set their name in stone in Pioneer League history, they will be doing so as a part of the same batting order with the PaddleHeads.
How many home runs Pena, and Fogel hit remains to be seen. But this race surely adds an added element of excitement to games played at Allegiance Field this month as both players look to make their mark on the league record books. Fans will also have the opportunity to witness this race toward history with games played at Allegiance Field.
The PaddleHeads (47-21) will play games at home throughout the Month leading up to August 28. This week, the PaddleHeads will continue a 6-game set playing host to the Rocky Mountain Vibes (33-34) in their first meeting this season. It also is the 2nd time in franchise history these teams have met for a series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Friday night.
The PaddleHeads will host a double header on Saturday with game 1 of the twin bill set for 5:00 p.m. Sunday will feature a 2:15 p.m. first pitch in the series finale with the Vibes. Head to gopaddleheads.com now to get your tickets or listen to each game live on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. to keep tabs on the single season home run record race.
