Voyagers Pick Up First Win Of Second Half

BILLINGS, MT— Multi-hit performances from Breydon Daniel, Cristopher De Guzman, and Lukas Polanco helped back Breonn Pooler and the bullpen as the Great Falls Voyagers (28-21, 1-1 2H) topped the Billings Mustangs (26-22, 1-1 2H) Wednesday night at Dehler Park by a score of 9-4. The victory was the first of the second half for Great Falls and evened the series at one game apiece with four games remaining.

Just one day removed from a game in which they failed to record a single extra base hit, the Voyagers lineup produced from top to bottom, with eight of the batters in the starting lineup recording an RBI in the winning effort. Daniel led the way with his 15th game registering two or more hits, finishing the night with two singles and a double to go along with an RBI and a run scored. On the opposing side, Jackson Raper followed up his strong showing in Tuesday's game with a 2-for-5 night that included two RBI and his tenth home run of the year.

The Voyagers were unable to capitalize on a bases-loaded, no-out scenario in the top of the first, but did not have to wait much longer to get on the board. Looking to respond after a two-run blast by Raper in the Mustangs' half of the opening frame, Cristopher De Guzman, Lukas Polanco, and Adam Oviedo strung together three consecutive one-out singles to bring in the first run of the game before Riley Jepson beat out a potential inning-ending double play to plate Polanco and knot the game at two. After Jepson nabbed his 13th bag of the season, Daniel smacked an RBI double that put the Voyagers on top 3-2. Billings catcher Brian Parreira made things interesting in the fourth with a solo shot to tie the game once again, but a four-run fifth inning for the Voyager offense would put the visitors on top for good. The Mustangs picked up an unearned run following an error in the bottom of the seventh, but Polanco's first professional home run in the eighth and Collin Runge's RBI triple in the ninth put the game out of reach.

The Mustangs struggled to get things going against Breonn Pooler, bringing in their only three runs against the righty starter via the long ball as the Huntsville, AL native went five innings and surrendered just four hits against eight strikeouts en route to the win. Josh Gainer, Brad Demco, and Montana Quigley combined to finish off the final four innings of the contest, allowing just one unearned run while striking out six. With his two Ks tonight, Demco continues to lead the league in strikeouts per nine innings at an impressive 15.37 clip.

The Voyagers and Mustangs will each look to gain an early edge in the race for the second half title in the Pioneer League North Division as the teams face off once again Thursday evening at Dehler Park. Left-hander Quincy Jones (4-2, 6.95 ERA) is expected to get the ball for Great Falls after working 6.1 strong innings in his most recent start, a win over the Missoula PaddleHeads back on July 15 at home. First pitch for game three of the six-game set is set for 6:35 PM MDT.