Chukars get series opening win over Voyagers
August 19, 2011 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
Idaho Falls, Idaho--Mark Threlkeld's bases loaded double in the sixth gave the Chukars a lead they would not surrender en route to a series opening win over the Voyagers, 10-9.
Entering the sixth with Kevin Vance on the mound, the Voyagers possessed a two-run lead. With men at the corners and two outs, a wild pitch scored a run and put the tying-man in scoring position. After getting ahead of Dean Espy 0-2, Vance lost the number three hitter by walking him. Vance then walked Henry Moreno to load the bases after getting ahead of him 1-2. Mark Threlkeld came up next and fell behind 0-2. However, like the two hitters before him, he did not let Vance finish him off, fouling off three of his offerings before his gap shot to take the lead, 9-7.
Two pitches later the team's leading hitter, Runey Davis, singled Threlkeld home to give Idaho Falls five runs in the frame and a 10-7 lead.
In the seventh, Michael Schwartz hit his first homer with the Voyagers, a two-run shot, cutting the deficit to 10-9, but the Voyagers were shut down afterwards.
Edwin Carl (S, 4) retired all six hitters he faced in the final two innings, striking out five. Carl, this season, leads the league averaging just less than 20 strikeouts per nine innings and he put his dominance on display in the victory.
Despite scoring a run in the top of first, the Voyagers did not get through the inning with the lead. Blair Walters allowed the first four batters to reach, ending the first inning giving up four runs on six hits. Walters picked up the no-decision though, as he returned to form in his final three innings, giving up just one run, keeping the Voyagers alive.
Down 4-1, the Voyagers scored three runs in the third on four hits. The inning began with a Kyle Eveland home run which was followed by a Joe De Pinto triple. Mark Haddow doubled De Pinto home cutting the deficit to 4-3. Haddow eventually scored after a Jacquot walk and Smith single loaded the bases when Herbek grounded into a double play, tying the score, 4-4.
After giving up a run in fourth to fall behind again, the Voyagers came right back with three more runs in the fifth, highlighted by Kevan Smith's two-run double. A key moment came when Willian Avinizar struck out De Pinto, the team's top run-producer, with the bases loaded and two outs, keeping the deficit at 7-5.
Robert Penny (3-4) picked up the win in relief. The righty gave up two runs in two innings and was on the mound when the Chukars collected their five run sixth.
Vance (1-1) suffers the loss giving up five runs on five hits and walking two.
The Voyagers got three hits from Haddow and Smith, while Eveland walked three times in addition to his home run.
Striking out to end the game, Qualon Millender went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts, a forgettable performance for the leadoff hitter.
The Voyagers continue their series tomorrow night against the Idaho Falls Chukars. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with the pregame show set to begin at 6:40 p.m. on 560 KMON.
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Pioneer League Stories from August 19, 2011
- Chukars Survive Seesaw Game - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Osprey Fall to Raptors, 10-3 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars get series opening win over Voyagers - Great Falls Voyagers
- Baker Picks up 4 RBIs as Owlz Escape with 5-4 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Fall 9-6 in 11 Innings - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Osprey Tripped by Owlz, 5-4 - Missoula PaddleHeads
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