Dominant Pitching Guides Voyagers in Blowout Win
Great Falls, MT-The Voyagers pitching staff limited the Pioneer League's best offense to just one hit in a 12-0 victory over Idaho Falls Friday night at Centene Stadium.
Great Falls (3-2, 24-19) has now won a season-high five straight home games. The Voyagers are also on a three-game winning streak overall, and improved to 10-and-6 against the South Division this season. It was the third shutout victory for Great Falls, and first time all season the Chukars (3-3, 25-19) were held scoreless.
The Voyagers wasted little time in revving the offensive engine. Leading off the bottom of the first, Joel Booker smacked a solo home run deep to left for the game's first run. It was Booker's first dinger since joining Great Falls this week. In the second, Corey Zangari led off with a bloop double to shallow center. With two outs, Steve Pollakov and Max Dutto posted back-to-back walks to load the bases. Booker continued his hot start since being called up from the Arizona Rookie League with a two-run single to right for a 3-0 lead. The Voyagers made it 4-0 with a single run in the third. Aaron Schnurbusch led off with a double deep to left that banged off the wall. He later scored on a throwing error following a dropped third strike that would have ended the inning.
The Voyagers crooked number theme continued with a three-spot in the fifth. With one out, Aaron Schnurbusch cranked a solo home run deep to left for his third of the season. Brady Conlan followed with a single to right. Corey Zangari recorded his second double of the night on a grounder up the left field line. Casey Schroeder drove in Conlan from third with a sacrifice fly to left. Jackson Glines gave Great Falls a 7-0 cushion with a base hit to left-center that scored Zangari.
Great Falls added two more tallies in the seventh and three in the eighth for good measure. Conlan led off the seventh with an infield single. Corey Zangari poked his third double of the night up the left field line. Another Casey Schroeder sac fly drove in Conlan from third. Steve Pollakov had a two-out single to right that scored Zangari. In the eighth, Joel Booker started the inning with a double to right. Mitch Roman collected an RBI single and Aaron Schnurbusch reached with an infield single off the pitcher's glove. Roman scored on an RBI ground out by Zangari. Schroeder drove in Schnurbusch with a double up the left field line.
The Voyagers pitching staff combined to strike out 13 batters and walk only one. Alec Hansen recorded his first professional win. Hansen (1-0) worked six innings and had his no-hit bid broken up in the sixth. He struck out a career-high 11 and walked one. Between the first and sixth innings, Hansen retired 14 straight until he gave up the base hit. Brandon Magallones, Aaron Bummer, and Ryan Hinchley all pitched hitless innings in relief. Matt Portland suffered the loss for Idaho Falls. Portland (2-2) lasted four-and-a-third and allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks. He gave up the two homers as well.
Great Falls racked up 15 hits in the win. Joel Booker, Aaron Schnurbusch, and Corey Zangari all had three-hit games. Booker had three RBIs and scored two runs. Schnurbusch and Zangari each scored three times. Brady Conlan collected two hits and scored twice. Casey Schroeder posted his second straight three RBI game.
Great Falls continues its seven-game home stand with game three of four against Idaho Falls Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The Voyagers welcome Ogden to town for a three-game series next week Monday through Wednesday. For ticket and promotional information, visit www.gfvoyagers.com or call 406-452-5311.