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Three combine on Great Falls no-hitter

Voyagers first to accomplish feat in Pioneer League this year
August 19, 2011
When Scott Snodgress left Thursday night's game after six perfect innings, he wasn't nervous or worried. To him, what happened next seemed like destiny.

"It kind of felt like something that was meant to be, if that makes any sense," the White Sox fifth-rounder said. "It was kind of, almost expected."

Relievers Blake Drake and Joe Dvorsky tossed the final three innings without allowing a hit, notching the first no-hitter in the Pioneer League this year as Rookie-level Great Falls blanked host Casper, 4-0.

Overall, the no-no is the 27th in league history and the second for the Voyagers. Eric Everly and Demetrius Banks combined on the last one against Helena in 2004.

"It was a neat effort because it's not just me, it's the relief pitchers coming in and pitching well," Snodgress said. "It was a great game all around, with the offense picking us up and scoring some runs."

A fifth-round pick in this past June's Draft, Snodgress set career highs with six innings and nine strikeouts en route to his first professional win.

Drake took over for him in the seventh, hitting a batter and striking out one. He said he didn't even realize it was a no-hitter until a fan alerted him.

"I really wasn't aware of the situation when I went in there. ... Someone in the stands yelled out, 'Don't break up the no-hitter,'" he said.

The final two frames were pitched by Dvorsky, who insisted that despite the high-pressure situation, he was not nervous. With two outs in the ninth, he induced a groundout off the bat of Rosell Herrera to complete the no-hitter.

"I made a good pitch, got the groundout," Dvorsky said. "He had fouled a couple off before. It was 3-2, I think. I was just trying to throw a fastball away and got him."

Snodgress, who was appearing in just his 12th game as a pro, said Thursday night was probably the highlight of his baseball career.

"I think this might be my best moment," he said. "Getting my first win, and I don't think I've ever thrown six perfect innings in my life. It's a pretty neat feeling."

David Heck is a contributor to MLB.com.