Great Falls Broomed as Osprey Clinch Division
July 25, 2015 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
MISSOULA, Mont. - The Great Falls Voyagers lost their third straight for the first time in 2015, falling 5-1 to the Missoula Osprey Saturday night at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, completing a sweep for the home team and sending them to the first half North Division title.
For the third straight game, the Osprey (22-14) scored first, as a throwing error allowed Raymel Flores to race home to give Missoula the edge in the first.
Missoula then added three more unearned runs against Tanner Banks (3-1) in the third. After a two-out error left the door open, the Osprey took advantage as Austin Byler doubled home a pair, and Jason Morozowski added an RBI single.
The Voyagers (17-17) scored their lone run of the night in the sixth. Dante Flores started the inning with a single, went to third on an Antonio Rodriguez double, and scored on a Zach Fish ground out. For Fish, it was his 27th RBI of the season, which leads Great Falls.
That was the only run Great Falls scratched across against Anfernee Benitez (2-2), who won his second straight start. The lefty went five and one-third frames for the Osprey and struck out seven, marking his third consecutive start with seven or more strikeouts.
The Osprey got the run right back in their half of the sixth. Morozowski started the inning with a single, stole second, then scored later in the frame on a sacrifice fly from Kal Simmons to restore the four-run lead.
Great Falls did not threaten for much of the latter stages of the game, as Missoula pitching combined to retire 11 of the last 12 Voyagers to come to the plate on the night. For the night, the Osprey whiffed 14 Voyagers, the most that Great Falls has struck out in any one game this year.
In a losing effort, Banks did not allow an earned run, as all four runs against him were unearned. The southpaw worked five innings for the night, lowering his ERA to 1.21, which remains the lowest in the Pioneer League.
The Voyagers continue their road trip Sunday with a doubleheader against the Billings Mustangs at Dehler Park. In game one, Great Falls will turn to righty Brannon Easterling (3-1, 3.44), while Billings will counter with fellow right-hander Jose Lopez (0-2, 5.21). In game two, southpaw Zack Erwin (2-0, 1.23) will get the ball for the Voyagers, while the Mustangs will send righty Jordan Ramsey (0-3, 8.36) to the hill. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., and coverage will begin at 4:50 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com. Game two will follow roughly 30 minutes after the completion of game one.
Pioneer League Stories from July 25, 2015
- Owlz Playoff Bound with 6-5 Walk-Off - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Great Falls Broomed as Osprey Clinch Division - Great Falls Voyagers
- Mustangs Sweep Brewers with 9-6 Win - Helena Brewers
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 25 at Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Missoula Sweeps Doubleheader, Magic Number Is One - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Firework Display from Owlz Organization in Victory - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Idaho Falls to Owlz - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Rockies Pitching Stifles Raptors - Ogden Raptors
- Brewers Overcome 6-Run Deficit, Win 9-8 - Helena Brewers
- Mustangs Score 2 in 9th to Win 4-3 - Helena Brewers
- Voyagers Swept by Osprey in Twin Bill - Great Falls Voyagers
- Freeland Starts Shutout Win over Ogden - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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