Late Owlz Comeback Ruins Voyager Sweep Try
August 14, 2014 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
OREM, Utah - The Great Falls Voyagers sweep attempt fell short as they surrendered a three-run lead in the late innings to fall 5-3 to the Orem Owlz Thursday night at Brent Brown Ballpark.
Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, Orem (8-9, 32-23) took their first lead of the night, touching up Voyager reliever David Trexler (1-2) for a pair of runs for the second straight inning. After an error and a walk put two on for the Owlz, Caleb Adams stepped up and plated both with a single to put his team in front by one.
After Jordan Kipper (2-2) offered up his second scoreless inning in the top of the eighth, the Owlz added an insurance run in the home half. Orem loaded the bases with one out, and Michael Hermosillo hit a sacrifice fly to push the lead to two.
The Voyagers (7-11, 30-26) put the tying runs on base in the ninth, but could not get any closer than the two-run spread as Orem righty Jacob Kopra locked down his fourth save to avoid the sweep.
Pitching dominated on both sides in the early parts of the game, as neither team was able to score until Great Falls broke through in the sixth. With two on and nobody out, Zach Fisher hit a routine fly ball to left that was dropped by Caleb Adams, allowing Ethan Gross to score. Dillon Haupt and Louie Lechich then each drove home a run later in the frame as each collected an RBI single.
On the Great Falls side of things, starter Zach Thompson was very strong through five innings, blanking the Owlz on six hits while tying his career-high with four strikeouts. The righty also induced a pair of inning-ending double plays, two of the three that the Voyagers turned on the night.
The Orem comeback began in the sixth, when Trexler replaced Thompson. The right-handed reliever was greeted by a solo homer from Wendell Soto, then two batters later surrendered an RBI single to Fran Whitten which pulled the Owlz within a run at 3-2.
The Voyagers continue their seven-game trip Friday night as they travel to Grand Junction to begin a four-game series with the Rockies. In the series opener, Great Falls will send right-hander Luis Martinez (1-1, 1.80) to the mound, while Grand Junction will turn to southpaw Harrison Musgrave (2-2, 5.06). First pitch is set for 6:35 and coverage will begin at 6:20 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from August 14, 2014
- Late Owlz Comeback Ruins Voyager Sweep Try - Great Falls Voyagers
- Richy, De Paula Promoted, Raptors Add Holmes, Martinez - Ogden Raptors
- Voyagers Game Notes: August 14 at Orem - Great Falls Voyagers
- Chukars Game Notes: Helena - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Bradin Hagens Promoted to Arizona - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Voyagers out Slug Owlz 8-4 - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Big Inning Lifts Voyagers Past Owlz - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Chukars Blanked by Helena in Defeat - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Great Falls Makes It Two Straight in Orem - Great Falls Voyagers
- Brewers Shut out Chukars 3-0 - Helena Brewers
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.
