Brewers Can't Hold Lead In Opening Night Loss

Great Falls, MT - The Helena Brewers got off to a hot start Friday night, but couldn't hold the a five run lead as Great Falls walked off on Helena with a 6-5 victory on opening night.
In what began as an impressive performance from both the Brewers offense and starting pitcher Max Lazar, Helena knocked in five runs on 11 hits in the first six innings.
Producing a strong opening start for the Brewers, Lazar pitched six innings of one-hit baseball in his Pioneer league debut. The 6'3" right-hander struck out five while walking two and hitting one in 25 batters faced.
After remaining scoreless for the first three innings, Helena brought in all five of its runs in the next three frames. Pablo Abreu (1-for-3, BB, 2R) started the scoring for the Brewers, hitting the squad's first home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning. Abreu's two-run dinger brought in Je'Von Ward (1-for-5, R). With the top of the order leading off in the fifth inning, Yeison Coca (2-for-5, R) reached on a bunt, followed by a base hit to center field from Antonio Piñero (2-for-5, R, RBI). After Chad McClanahan (1-for-3, BB, HBP) knocked an infield hit to load the bases, Nick Egnatuk (3-for-5, 2 RBI) came up big for the Brewers with a double to center field to bring in two and push the Helena lead to four. Helena added one run in the sixth inning on a base hit from Piñero that plated Abreu and rounded out the scoring for the Brewers.
With no answers through six innings, the Great Falls bats came alive in the bottom of the seventh inning. Following the removal of Lazar after six frames, the Voyagers put three runners on before recording an out versus Helena reliever Brandon Presley. Lenyn Sosa started the onslaught for Great Falls with a double to plate the first run. Jhoandro Alfaro followed with a ground out that then plated Sosa, followed by a one-out triple the brought in Logan Sowers. Travis Moniot hit an RBI-double, forcing manager Nestor Corredor pulled Presley for right-hander Roberto Delgado. Leadoff hitter Ian Dawkins reached on an error by third baseman Jean Carmona-plating a run-before forcing two-consecutive ground outs to second base and ending the inning.
Remaining tied at five through the following inning-and-a-half, the Brewers looked to hold Great Falls in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. With Delgado still in the game, Helena couldn't record an out after giving up a hit and two consecutive walks (the latter being intentional) before giving up the walk-off hit to Dawkins. Pinch runner Jay Estes scored, and the Voyagers won the battle 6-5.
Helena begins the home season Saturday, June 16, when they host Great Falls with a chance at redemption. First pitch is at 7:05 PM at Kindrick Legion Field. Gates open at 6:00 PM, and 2018 magnet schedules will be handed out at the gate in honor of Opening Night. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at www.helenabrewers.net.