Gill's Gem Leads Mustangs Past Voyagers to Open Second Half

BILLINGS-Elijah Gill spun 7.0 innings of one-run ball, Gabe Wurtz drove in two runs, and the Billings Mustangs polished off the Great Falls Voyagers 5-1 to open the second half of the season with with a victory at Dehler Park.

Billings (1-0, 26-21) has now won three in a row and take three of four this season from Great Falls (0-1, 27-21). The game was also the quickest of the season at 2 hours, 15 minutes.

The Voyagers struck first with a two-out rally to begin the game. Mustang starter Elijah Gill retired the first two hitters, but two singles and a walk loaded the bases. Brian Parreira then threw behind the runner at first, Michael Deeb, who was picked off, but he managed to stay in a rundown long enough for Riley Jepson to score from third, giving Great Falls an early lead.

In the bottom of the first, though, the Mustangs answered. Jalen Garcia drew a leadoff walk and Crews Taylor and Jackson Raper both legged out infield singles to load the bases with one out. Gabe Wurtz then yanked an 0-1 curve just inside the third base bag for a two-run double. Bryce Jackson drove in another run with a groundout, putting Billings up 3-1.

The score stayed put until the fourth inning, when Billings scratched across another tally. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Brian Parreira then rolled into a double play which brought in a run, pushing the lead to 4-1.

In the fifth, Billings pushed the lead further. With one out, Taylor reached on an error and Jacob Kline was hit by a pitch. Taylor then was picked off second, but Kline moved into scoring position in the ensuing rundown. Raper followed by stroking a 3-2 fastball into left-center to score Kline, putting the Mustangs ahead 5-1.

From there, the game belonged to Gill. The lefty struck out the side in the fifth, giving him a career-high seven punchouts. He wasn't done, though, as he induced a line-drive double play to end the sixth. He then threw a 1-2-3 seventh to secure his longest outing of his professional career.

Gill went 7.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Foster Pace and Beaux Bonvillain followed with scoreless innings out of the 'pen to lock down a tidy 5-1 win.

The Mustangs will play game two against the Great Falls Voyagers on Wednesday. The Mustang will start RHP Kelvan Pilot (3-2, 4.91) while Great Falls will throw RHP Breon Pooler (1-2, 5.33). Pregame on Wednesday on the home of the Mustangs, ESPN 910/105.5 FM with Brennan Mense will begin at 6:15 ahead of a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.