(Mustangs media release)
BILLINGS – The Billings Mustangs (5-1, 20-24) swept the Great Falls Voyagers (1-5, 23-21) with a 4-3 win in 10 innings on Tuesday at Dehler Park.
The game started with sharp pitching on both sides of the baseball. Codi Heuer went three shutout innings in the start for the Voyagers. The Missoula native struck out two and gave up just two hits.
Jared Solomon countered with six strong innings of his own. He would give up two runs in the start, but also struck out eight to move into the Pioneer League lead with 54 total strikeouts this season.
Billings took the first lead of the night Tuesday with two runs on one hit in the fourth off reliever Lane Ramsey. Bren Spillane reached on an error and Dylan Harris would walk, each scoring a run in the frame. Juan Martinez lined his first triple of the year to right to score Harris and cap the inning.
The Voyagers managed to tie it up in the sixth after three consecutive hits followed by an error off Solomon. Logan Sowers doubled for his second hit of the night, scoring on Amado Nunez’ RBI single. Sowers went 2-for-5 with a double and a run.
That is how the score would stay into the 10th inning. Ryan Campbell threw two innings of perfect relief to respond to the three innings of shutout pitching from Devon Perez.
Great Falls was able to score their designated runner in the 10th on a sacrifice fly to left from Steele Walker. Jay Schuyler made a leaping catch up the wall to rob Walker of a hit and put the second run of the inning in scoring position. Andrew McDonald (1-1) retired five in a row to end his outing and earn his first pro win.
Austin Conway made an early mistake in the bottom of the 10th for Great Falls, balking in the first at-bat of the inning to move Schuyler to third base. Cash Case was walked aboard before Pabel Manzanero was intentionally walked to load the bases. That brought Spillane to the plate to end the game. Spillane lined a breaking ball to left to score two and give the Mustangs their first walk-off win at home this season, 4-3.
The Mustangs have now won seven of their last eight games after sweeping the Voyagers in the two-game set. They next head to Great Falls to begin a five-game road trip with two games at Centene Stadium. First pitch on Wednesday is set for 7:00 p.m.
