Voyagers Lose First Game Of The Season

(Great Fals, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (4-1) were hoping to secure the three game series versus the Missoula Paddleheads (4-1) with a win. Unfortunately for the Voyagers it didn't end up that way and they lost their first game of the season.

The game started out well for the Voyagers starting pitcher, CJ Grant-Debose as he shut down the Paddlehead 1,2,3 in the first two innings. The 3rd inning came with some difficulty though as he gave up 4 hits, and an error in the field allowing 5 runs to score.

Five runs would end up being all the Paddleheads would need for a win this afternoon as the Voyagers were able to only push one across the plate in the 3rd inning. Adam Oviedo started the 3rd with a single to center, Breyden Daniel was hit by a pitch, then a wild pitch moved both runners to 2nd and 3rd with no outs. A ground ball to third for an out did not score a run, but a ground out to second did score Oviedo. A grounder to 3rd would end the inning for the Voyagers.

Grant-Debose would settle back down following the 3rd as he once again didn't allow a Paddlehead batter to cross home plate. The Voyagers on the other hand had multiple opportunities to score runs in the 4th with a runner at second with no out. A runner at 3rd in the 5th with two out, and runners at 1st and 2nd in the 6th with no outs. They also had the bases loaded in the 7th with nobody out. A popup and a double play ended that threat.

Matt Thomas came in for Grant-Debose in the 7th inning and pitched that inning and the 8th allowing 3 runs in the 7th and one in the 8th. Second baseman Andy Atwood came in to pitch the 9th to help save the bullpen during this 12 games in 12 day stretch for the Voyagers, not allowing a run in the 9th.

When the dust cleared and the final out was obtained the Voyagers found themselves on the losing end of a 9-1 score. This is the first loss for the Voyagers on the season and they hope to get back on the winning track and regain sole possession of first place when they take on the Paddleheads Monday at 1 p.m. Gates open at noon so come on out to the ballpark and enjoy your Memorial Day with the Voyagers!!

Written by Ross Drishinski