Haupt Slams Voyagers to First Half Title
Published on July 22, 2014 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (July 21, 2014) -Dillon Haupt broke an 8-8 tie with a grand slam in the eighth, lifting the Great Falls Voyagers to a 12-8 victory over the Idaho Falls Chukars Monday night at Melaleuca Field. By virtue of their win and Missoula's loss, Great Falls clinches the first half title in the Pioneer League North Division, and also their eighth straight playoff appearance.
With the Chukars (18-16) having just tied the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh, Great Falls (20-14) took a lead they did not relinquish in the eighth. The first three Voyagers reached in the inning against Javier Reynoso (1-3), via two walks and a hit by pitch, bringing Haupt to the plate. The backstop drilled the club's first grand slam of the year to left, to give his team the lead right back.
David Trexler (1-0) got the first out of the eighth, then gave way to Devon Davis who recorded the final five outs for Great Falls to earn his first career save.
Like they did in each of the first two games of this series, Great Falls jumped out to an early lead. It started in the first when Zach Fisher drove in a run with a ground out for his team-leading 28th RBI. The Voyagers added another later in the frame, taking advantage of an error to make it 2-0.
In the fifth, Great Falls was back at it against Chukar starter Mike Jeffreys, touching up the righty for five more runs. Haupt and Zach Fish each collected RBI singles for the Voyagers, while Louie Lechich added an RBI triple. Ethan Gross then came to the plate with the bases loaded, and delivered two more runs with a single.
Idaho Falls started to close the gap in the home half of the third. Brandon Downes and Robert Pehl each drove in runs for the Chukars before a two-run single by Kyle Pollock capped the frame's scoring.
The Chukars then got within a run in the fourth, plating three more and chasing Voyager starter Dane Stone who had his scoreless inning streak end at 22.
With their first half division title, the Voyagers clinch their eighth straight playoff berth, and will host games two and three (if necessary) at Centene Stadium on September 6 and September 7. Tickets for game two of the Pioneer League Division Series are available now here .
The Voyagers and Chukars warp-up this four-game series Tuesday night at Melaleuca Field. Great Falls will send southpaw Brian Clark (2-1 2.25) to the mound, while Idaho Falls will turn to fellow left-hander Emilio Ogando (1-0, 0.90). First pitch is set for 7:15 and coverage will begin at 7:00 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 22, 2014
- Voyagers Game Notes: July 22 at Idaho Falls - Great Falls Voyagers
- 4-0 Lead Not Enough for Brewers - Helena Brewers
- Chukars Comeback Negated by Blast - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Haupt Slams Voyagers to First Half Title - Great Falls Voyagers
- De Leon Allows Just One Hit in Six Innings, Wins - Ogden Raptors
- Osprey Come up Short in Offensive Slugfest - Missoula PaddleHeads
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