• Audio: The Voyage continues
• Audio: Caseres' go-ahead single • Complete playoff coverage • Visit the official Raptors team shop Dan Hudson struck out seven over 6 2/3 innings and Johny Celis homered Sunday as the Great Falls Voyagers advanced to the Pioneer League Championship Series with an 8-3 triumph over the Billings Mustangs at Centene Stadium. Hudson (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits without a walk as Great Falls swept the best-of-3 series. Penn State product Drew O'Neil recorded the final five outs to pick up the save. The Voyagers await the winner of the Orem-Ogden series in next week's Finals. Great Falls fell to Orem in last year's championship series. Celis went 2-for-4 with a solo shot in the second off Mustangs starter Oscar Castro. Great Falls took the lead in the fourth when Tyler Kuhn hit an RBI single and Mike Grace followed with a run-scoring double. Lee Fishcer added a two-run double for the Voyagers. Billings had taken a 2-0 lead in the second on run-scoring hits from Dave Sappelt and Mike Konstanty. Jose Gualdron added a sacrifice fly in the second. Dan Zeffiro (0-1) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on four hits over two innings. Castro was charged with three runs on five walks in 3 1/3 frames. Box score In other Pioneer League action:
Orem Owlz 6, Ogden Raptors 8 Pioneer League batting champ Roberto Lopez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Orem, which could have clinched another berth in the Finals with a win. Jeremy Thorne (0-1), the last of four Owlz pitchers, allowed two runs on three hits over two innings. Box score This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
