PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Missoula Suffers Setback at Great Falls

Published on August 30, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


GREAT FALLS, MONT. - The Great Falls Voyagers (31-34) came out swinging on Saturday night, collecting 11 runs on 15 hits en route to defeating the Missoula Osprey (38-27) by a count of 11-4 from Centene Stadium.

After Junior Garcia struck out the side in order in the first inning, the Osprey starter ran into trouble in the second, surrendering six runs on six hits, including a two-run home run from Dante Flores. Garcia lasted just 3.2 innings, ultimately allowing a career-high eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits and two homers, with the second being a two-run shot to Johan Cruz in the two-run fourth to make it 8-0 Voyagers. The bright side for the lefty came in his ability to throw strikes, as he punched out a career-best eight hitters and did not walk a batter. The loss dropped Garcia to 2-1 on the year.

While Garcia had a tough time on the hill, right-hander Lucas Shearrow was stellar in the start for Great Falls. Shearrow tossed 5.1 innings and allowed just two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts to pick up the victory and move to 2-3 on the season.

Missoula benefitted from an error charged to second baseman Jake Jarvis in the fifth inning en route to scoring its first run of the game. With two out, Kal Simmons chopped a pitch to second where it rolled under Jarvis' glove and into right-centerfield. Matt Railey followed four pitches later with his first triple of the season, sending a pitch over the head of Frank Califano in centerfield to drive in the run.

Three more Voyager runs came in in the fifth inning, including a pair on a two-RBI triple from Flores. The left-handed hitting designated hitter finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI hitting out of the second spot in the order, while Cruz went 3-for-5 with three RBI of his own.

The O's managed to score the final three runs in the game, plating one in the sixth and two more in the eighth, but it was not enough to make up for the rough start. Luke Lowery contributed an RBI-double in the sixth to run the tally to 11-2 before Missoula scored its first run of the eighth on a double from Isan Diaz and a pair of wild pitches. With Danny Dopico on the mound and two out, the O's loaded the bases on two walks and an error. Dopico worked the count full to Matt Railey with the bags all occupied, and Railey held off on a 3-2 pitch out of the zone to drive in the final run of the game for Missoula.

The Osprey finished the contest with just four hits while striking out 10 times and leaving seven runners on base.

Missoula will conclude a four-game road trip tomorrow with game two at Great Falls at 1:00 pm MT.

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Pioneer League Stories from August 30, 2015


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