Voyagers Game
August 28, 2016 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
Great Falls, MT-The Voyagers combined solid pitching with sound defense and some miscues by Missoula to claim a 4-1 series-opening victory over the Osprey Saturday night at Centene Stadium.
Great Falls (17-9, 38-26) has won a season-high six in a row and five consecutive home games. The Voyagers remain in sole possession of first-place in the Pioneer League North Division second-half. They are two games up on Billings and now five games in front of Missoula (12-14, 28-36) with 12 to play.
After three scoreless innings to start the game, the Osprey made a mark in the fourth with a lead-off solo home run deep to left-center by Paxton De La Garza. It was De La Garza's fourth homer of the season, and extended his hitting streak to seven.
The Voyagers leveled the game and eventually took the lead with unearned runs in the fifth and sixth innings respectively. Casey Schroeder reached in the fifth with a one-out double to the alley in left-center. Schroeder moved to third on an errant pick-off throw to second. Sam Dexter drove him in with a ground ball to third that turned into a throwing error to first. Great Falls took the lead for good in the sixth. Mitch Roman led off the inning with a double lined up the right field side. Aaron Schnurbusch followed with a walk. Brady Conlan then grounded a ball to short that resulted in a force out at second but a throwing error to first attempting a double play. Roman scored on the error for a 2-1 Voyagers lead. In the seventh, Missoula had a base runner thrown out at the plate that would have tied it. Kyle Smith singled and Tanner Hill doubled. Smith was thrown out with a perfect relay from the left field wall to home.
Great Falls tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth. A one-out bunt single by Mitch Roman led to a pitcher's throwing error that placed Roman at second. Aaron Schnurbusch reached with his second walk of the night. Wild pitches allowed Roman to advance to third and eventually score. Schnurbusch later stole third and scored on the same play with the catcher's throw going up the left field line.
Bernardo Flores turned in his longest outing of the season for the win. Flores (5-1) lasted seven innings and gave up one earned run on eight hits (HR) with three strikeouts and no walks. Palmer Betts suffered the loss for Missoula. Betts (1-2) worked seven-and-a-third and allowed four runs (one earned) on only five hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Matt Foster recorded a two-inning save for Great Falls. It was Foster's fourth save in as many chances. He struck out three and walked one. The Osprey outhit the Voyagers 8-to-5, but Missoula tied a season-high with five errors. Paxton De La Garza and Kyle Smith each had two-hit nights in defeat. For Great Falls, Mitch Roman went 3-for-4 with a double, two bunt singles, and two runs scored.
Great Falls continues its five-game home stand Sunday with the series finale against Missoula. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The Voyagers then welcome Billings to town for a three-game set Monday through Wednesday. For ticketing and promotional information, visit www.gfvoyagers.com or call 406-452-5311.
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