Billings Mustangs Launch 2026 Pioneer League Season with Dominant Win

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Billings Mustangs opened their 2026 summer collegiate season Tuesday night at Dehler Park, demolishing the Grand Junction Jackalopes 17-2 in the series opener. The Mustangs, playing their first game against the Jackalopes since 2021, exploded for 17 runs on 18 hits, including multiple home runs that echoed across the rims of the Yellowstone Valley. Attendance swelled to over 2,400 fans, a strong turnout for the home faithful eager for wooden-bat action after a long offseason.

Pitching anchored the rout, with starter Alex Smith earning the win to improve to 3-0 early in the season, while the bullpen slammed the door. The Jackalopes, struggling at 15-25 coming in, managed just two runs against Billings' staff. Mustangs second baseman Jake Miller led the offense with a 4-for-5 night, driving in five RBIs, as the team built an 8-0 lead by the fourth inning. This powerhouse performance echoes Billings' storied Pioneer League history, where they've claimed six league titles since joining in 1948.

The victory boosts the Mustangs to 1-0, positioning them strongly in the rugged six-team circuit that spans Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Utah. Dehler Park, the Mustangs' home since 2008, once again proved its mettle as a hitter's haven under the wide Montana sky. Coach Alonzo Harris praised the squad's preparation, noting the blend of local talent from Montana high schools and recruits from across the nation. Regional rivalries intensify next with a home series against the Missoula PaddleHeads, promising more packed houses and high-stakes baseball in Billings.