Great Falls Win Pioneer League Title

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Thursday Sept. 15, 2011
Posted: 10:40 p.m.
WHITE SOXGreat Falls Rookie
The Great Falls battery proved to have too much life for Ogden Thursday night at Centene Stadium. With Pioneer League pitcher of the year Blair Walters on the mound and catcher Kevan Smith, the leagues hottest hitter behind the plate, the Voyagers cruised by the Raptors, 7-1, to claim their second championship in four seasons.

The win also marked the 13th time Great Falls has won a Pioneer League crown since the circuit became a short-season league in 1964. The Voyagers, much as they have all season, rode Walters to pick up the win. He scattered four hits over six innings, striking out seven and allowing a run. It was his second win of the post-season, allowing him to finish 11-0 after the Sox grabbed him from The University of Hawaii in the 11th round of this years draft.

Smith, whom Chicago selected in the seventh round from The University of Pittsburgh in this years draft, had three hits to finish with a .478 batting average and a league-leading 11 hits in the playoffs. This after finishing the season on a 15-game hitting streak during which he hit .528.

Walters and Smith had help, though. David Hrbek drove in pair while Marty Medina and Mike Earley each had RBIs. Chris Devenski and Cody Winiarski pitched shutout ball over three innings, striking out four and allowing a pair of hits.
CUBSTennessee AA
Ollie Lintons RBI single in the bottom of the 11th gave Mobile a 1-0 victory over Tennessee Thursday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears also grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Southern League championship series, which will resume Saturday night at Smokies Park.

Ryan Wheeler led off the 11th with a single but it appeared as if he would be stranded after Rafael Dolis retired the next two batters. But Matt Davidson singled, moving Wheeler to second and Linton followed with a ground single to right.

Dolis, the fourth Smokies pitcher, allowed four hits in 1 23 innings. Brooks Raley started, allowing one hit while striking out five over six innings.

Tennessee, which hasnt scored in 15 innings, managed only six hits but also drew six walks. The Smokies were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base. Blake Lalli had a pair of doubles for Tennessee.

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