Chukars Walk-Off on Great Falls Sunday
July 19, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (July 19, 2015)Â - In their first extra-inning affair of 2015, the Great Falls Voyagers fell 4-3 in 11 innings to the Idaho Falls Chukars on a walk-off squeeze bunt from Ryan Dale Sunday at Melaleuca Field.
Marten Gasparini started the frame with a single for Idaho Falls (11-20), then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Gasparini then stole third, and raced home on Dale's bunt to give the Chukars the walk-off victory.
Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Voyagers (15-12) held a 3-2 edge. With one out, Ryan Riga walked Jeckson Flores, who then scored on a game-tying double from Pedro Gonzalez to send Great Falls into extra innings for the first time this season.
The Chukars scored first, plating a run in the first against Voyager starter Matt Ball. Cody Jones led off with an infield single, went to second on an error, and then scored on the second of consecutive ground outs to put Idaho Falls up 1-0.
Idaho Falls then doubled their lead in the fourth. Gasparini tripled with one out, then came in to score the home team's second run of the afternoon on another Great Falls error.
The two unearned runs were the only tallies the Chukars could push across against Ball, who scattered four hits in five innings, earning a no-decision for his efforts.
Great Falls tied things up in the fifth, the final inning for Idaho Falls starter Todd Eaton. With two outs, Johan Cruz doubled in a pair, tying the game.
The visitors then went ahead with a run in the sixth. Sikes Orvis and Casey Schroeder started the frame by drawing back-to-back walks against Brandon Thomas, before a D.J. Burt error allowed Orvis to race home and give Great Falls the lead.
With their loss and Missoula's win over Ogden, the Voyagers fall a game behind the Osprey for first place in the Pioneer League North, with less than a week to play in the season's first half.
The Voyagers continue their four-game set with the Idaho Falls Chukars Monday night at Melaleuca Field. Great Falls will send left-hander Tanner Banks (3-0 1.37) to the mound, while Idaho Falls will counter with righty Daniel Concepcion (0-0, 11.57). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m., and coverage will begin at 7:00 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Osprey Pitchers Shut Down Raptors - Ogden Raptors
- Osprey Score Early in 7-1 Victory at Ogden - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Dale Bunts Home Walk-Off Winner for Chukars - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Chukars Walk-Off on Great Falls Sunday - Great Falls Voyagers
- Owlz Rally to Victory over Brewers - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Brewers Collapse in 9th - Helena Brewers
- Early Lead Slips Away in Loss to Mustangs - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 19 at Idaho Falls - Great Falls Voyagers
- Diaz Homers Twice, Guides Osprey to 10-5 Victory - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Chukars Hot Bats Lead Charge after Slow Start - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Late Innings Doom Ogden - Ogden Raptors
- Lassiter, Voyagers Hammer Chukars - Great Falls Voyagers
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