PL Great Falls Voyagers

Ball Leads Voyagers Past Helena

July 30, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release


GREAT FALLS, Mont. (July 30, 2015) - Right-hander Matt Ball allowed just one hit over six innings as the Great Falls Voyagers beat the Helena Brewers 4-1 in the opener of their four-game set Thursday night at Centene Stadium.

Ball (1-3) retired the first nine Brewers (1-2, 17-22) that he faced on the night, before Troy Stokes reached on a strikeout wild pitch to start the fourth. The Helena outfielder came in to score later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Steven Karkenny, for the lone tally of the night for the visitors.

The righty did not allow a hit to Helena until the fifth. David Denson doubled with one out in the frame, representing the only Brewers base runner of the night against Ball other than Stokes. For the night, Ball gave up the one unearned run on just one hit, struck out a career-high eight, and walked none. For the 20-year old, it is his third quality start of the year, all of which have come against the Brewers.

The Voyagers (2-1, 19-20) got their starter the lead for the first time in the third. With two outs, Johan Cruz doubled off Brewer starter Joshua Torres (2-1), plating the contest's first tally.

After Helena tied it in their half of the fourth, Great Falls went ahead for good in the home half, again doing their damage with two outs. The Voyagers strung together four consecutive two-out knocks against Torres, with Sikes Orvis and Grant Massey collecting the RBIs with singles.

Great Falls then tacked on an insurance run in the sixth against the Helena bullpen. Jackson Glines led of with a double, one of his career-high three hits, then came around to score one batter later on a single by Victor Velasquez.

Behind Ball, the Voyager bullpen was strong, as Ryan Riga tossed a pair of scoreless frames before Dylan Barrow came on to retire the side in the ninth for his first career save. The trio of Ball, Riga, and Barrow combined to allow just three hits, tied for the fewest given up by Great Falls in 2015.

The Voyagers continue their four-game series with the Helena Brewers Friday night at Centene Stadium. Great Falls will turn to All-Star lefty Tanner Banks (3-1, 1.21), while Helena will counter with fellow All-Star southpaw Christian Trent (2-1, 4.18). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and coverage will begin at 6:45 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.

Check out the Great Falls Voyagers Statistics



Pioneer League Stories from July 30, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central