Voyagers Pitching Stymies Chukars

Idaho Falls, ID-The Voyagers received strong pitching and used three extra-base hits by Bryan Connell to take down Idaho Falls 4-1 in game three Friday night at Melaleuca Field.

Great Falls (19-17, 34-39) snapped a two-game slide and is now 13-24 on the road this season. The win guaranteed the Voyagers a season-series victory over Idaho Falls. They have won 10 of 18. The Chukars (12-25, 33-41) had a three-game winning streak come to an end. They fell to 19-18 at home.
Idaho Falls opened the scoring with their only run of the night in the bottom of the first. A two-out rally started with a walk of Travis Jones. Juan Carlos Negret then reached on an infield single. An error on the play as well allowed Jones to go to third. Isaiah Henry drove in Jones with a single to center.
The Voyagers took the lead for good with a two-run top of the second. Lency Delgado and Ivan Gonzalez both reached to start the inning with singles. With one out, Bryan Connell fisted a soft liner into right field past first base for the first run. Gonzalez later scored from third on a wild pitch and it was 2-1 Great Falls.
Bryan Connell accounted for the game's final two runs with a pair of one-out, solo homers in the seventh and the ninth innings respectively. Connell finished with three extra-base hits and three RBIs. His home run total for the season climbed to six.
Great Falls outhit Idaho Falls 11-to-5. The Voyagers won despite committing three errors. In addition to Bryan Connell's multi-homer game, Caberea Weaver and Harvin Mendoza both collected two hits. Connell became the third Voyager with a two-homer game this season, joining Luis Curbelo and Cameron Simmons.
On the mound, Kaleb Roper posted the win in relief. Roper (4-0) worked two scoreless innings and gave up two hits with five strikeouts. Cole Watts took the loss. Watts (1-6) started the game and went six innings with two earned runs allowed on five hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Pauly Milto notched his fifth save of the season. Milto pitched the final two frames and yielded one base hit with five strikeouts and two walks. The Voyager pitching staff set a new single-game season-high in strikeouts with 15.
Great Falls plays game four at Idaho Falls Friday night to close out the 2019 season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15. For 2020 Voyagers season tickets and promotional information, call 406-452-5311 or visit www.gfvoyagers.com.