Backstrom’s 3 HR Propels Team to Victory

The Great Falls Voyagers put together another great all-around performance last night and were able to come up with the win thanks to a late game push from the offense. 

Nick Marshall and Ethan McRae were the starters for Great Falls and for Billings in yesterday's matchup, and both had respectable performances. Both threw just under 100 pitches, Marshall going 6 innings, giving up 6 runs, all earned on 5 hits and 4 walks, with three strikeouts. Marshall's overall performance was a little better than the stats may show. He went into the 7th inning only giving up 4 runs, but was pulled in the 7th after he walked the first two batters. Billings would capitalize and score three runs that inning. 

The superstar of last night's show was undoubtedly outfielder and first baseman Mahki Backstrom. Backstrom finished the night 4-5 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI. Just when we thought Frank Podkul had a top-tier performance, Mahki one-ups him just one day later. 

The first of his three home runs was an inside-the-park homer, the first the Voyagers have seen all season. Backstrom roped a ball up the first base line that drifted into foul territory near the right field wall. It was a close play at third base, but Morales was unable to handle the throw, which got away, allowing the speedy Backstrom to score on his own base hit. In the bottom of the 5th, Mahki launched a two-runner opposite field that smacked off of the scoreboard. 

He would see his final home run in the bottom of the 8th, when the Voyagers found themselves up 8-7. Backstrom had a runner at second when he crushed a ball to straightaway center. The ball had an exit speed of 110 MPH, and had a projected distance 456 FT. It was a tremendous cap to a great night for the first-year Voyager, but the team wasn't done scoring yet.

Hylan Hall and Jack Lynch both had RBI base hits that brought in two more, and Lynch would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch. The Voyagers entered the bottom 8 up just one run, but left the inning up six. 

Jose Torrealba comes in for two innings of relief and is credited with the save. He struck out 5 of the 8 batters he faced, and only gave up one hit and one walk, no runs. 

The Voyagers look to continue their win streak against the Mustangs tonight at 7PM MT, Kenny Carillo is the anticipated starter for Great Falls.