Voyagers Lose Longest Game in Their History
August 2, 2014 - Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The Great Falls Voyagers played their longest game in the Voyager era (2008-present), but ended up on the short end as they were outlasted by the Billings Mustangs 3-1 in 17 innings Friday night at Centene Stadium.
After 14 scoreless innings on both sides, Billings (5-2, 22-23) broke the scoreless deadlock against Voyager reliever Anthony Santiago (2-2). Brian O'Grady walked to start the inning, then after moving to second on a ground out, came in to score on an error by Great Falls left fielder Mason Robbins to make it 1-0.
The Voyagers (2-5, 25-20) were down to their final out in the bottom of the frame before their bats came alive. John Ziznewski, Zach Fish, and Ethan Gross all singled, with the base hit by Gross knotting the score at a run apiece.
The Mustangs grabbed the lead back in the top of the 17th as Alberti Chavez came up with two in scoring position and one out, and lifted a single into shallow left to put his team back in front.
Great Falls put a runner on in the bottom of the inning to bring the tying run to the plate, but Ty Sterner (2-0) came up with his second consecutive scoreless frame to deal the Voyagers their fourth straight loss.
In the losing effort, infielder Jake Peter went six-for-eight, becoming the first Voyager to collect six hits in a ball game, surpassing the previous record of five which he tied back on July 20 against Idaho Falls.
For most of the night it was a struggle for either side to come up with hits with runners on base. The Voyagers were one-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 19 men on base, while Billings went one-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 11.
The 17-inning marathon affair was the longest game in the Voyager era, surpassing the previous long of 15 innings. At four hours and 38 minutes, it was also the longest game Great Falls has played time-wise in 2014, surpassing their previous high by more than an hour.
The Voyagers and Mustangs wrap-up their quick two-game set Saturday night at Centene Stadium. Great Falls will send right-hander Zach Thompson (1-2 4.32) to the bump, while Billings will counter with a righty of their own, Wyatt Strahan (0-3, 3.80). First pitch is set for 7:00 and coverage will begin at 6:45 on 1400 AM KXGF and gfvoyagers.com.
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