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Game Slips Away from Voyagers Late 4-3

June 29, 2012 - Pioneer League (PL) Great Falls Voyagers

BILLINGS - The Great Falls Voyagers (5-6) led much of the way in a close game with the Billings Mustangs (8-3) Thursday night, but the team couldn't hold on late and fell 4-3 in ten innings. A dominant Mustang bullpen combined with the first Voyager miscue of the game cost the team the chance to clinch the series in Billings. The Mustangs led first when they scored a single run off Keegan Linza in the second inning. That would be all the Voyagers could get off Linza as the righty controlled the game through six innings allowing only four hits while striking out five. Meanwhile, the Voyagers offense went to work with one run to tie the game in the third. With Kyle Robinson on third base and two outs in the fourth, Steve Nikorak obliterated a 2-0 fastball from starter Wes Mugarian for a 3-1 Voyager lead.

The game remained that way until the seventh inning as Linza shut down the Mustang, retiring the last eight hitters he faced, and reliever Joel Bender dominated the Voyagers with four innings pitched, no hits, and six strikeouts. Ryan Bollinger (1-2) relieved Linza in the seventh and allowed single runs in the next two innings to tie the game up at three. After a scoreless ninth and top of the tenth, Bollinger reentered to start the tenth, but a one-out double by Sammy Diaz chased Bollinger for Brandon Hardin. With two outs and the bases loaded, a 1-1 pitch to Robert Maddox skipped away from the catcher Zac Fisher and Diaz scored the winning run.

The Voyagers play the rubber game against the Mustangs Friday night at Dehler Park before returning home for two games at Centene Stadium Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's game is the season debut of the Great Falls Tribune Concert Series, Micro-beer Keg Night with Eagle Beverage, and is 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union Free Ticket Night. Sunday is Great Fall Tribune Pepsi Family Day and Noodle Express Nine Innings of Winning. Saturday's game starts at 7 PM and Sunday's starts at 1. Ticvkets are available at 452-5311 or at gfvoyagers.com.

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Pioneer League Stories from June 29, 2012


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