Voyagers Walk Off
Voyagers score two in the 9th to get the walk off win in series opener
Voyagers score two in the 9th to get the walk off win in series opener
(Great Falls, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (10-3) came into the second home stand to face the Glacier Range Riders (5-7) for a six game series. The Range Riders who have been struggling of late, losing 5 in a row, didn't show any signs of a struggle as they took the Voyagers the distance.
The game started off well for the Range Riders as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Starting pitcher, Shane Gustafson pitched well after the first inning shutting down the Range Riders. While the Voyagers bats came to life in the third inning.
The third started off with Jake Malec drawing a base on balls, and an attempt at a sacrafice bunt by Andy Atwood. There was only one problem, the bunt was so good it was a single for Atwood, a problem for the Range Riders. Michael Deeb then hit a single to left field scoring Malec. Atwood scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Krabbe to center for the first out in the inning. Deeb was caught stealing second and Collin Runge flyed out to left to end the inning, but the Voyagers found themselves tied after three.
The Voyager bats took the 4th inning off but came back for another round of hits in the 5th inning. The inning didn't start off well as the first two Voyager batters got out but Runge doubled to right, and was followed by a triple to right by newcomer, Derek Kolbush. Eddie McCabe drew a walk, followed by a single from Breydon Daniel. With three runs in the Voyagers took a 5-2 lead after five innings.
The Glacier team came right back with 3 of their own in the 6th inning. The Voyager fans in attendance didn't have to wait long for the home team to take the lead however, as Runge drew a walk and Kolbush hit a single to center. McCabe was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Daniel drew a walk to force home Runge. Malec hit a fly ball to center field that was caught and both McCabe and Kolbush attempted to score. McCabe was thrown out at third but not before Kolbush crossed the plate.
Going into the top of the ninth with a 7-5 lead the Voyagers were feeling confident, but three runs by the Range Riders left the Voyagers trailing at home for only the third time this season. Riley Jepson started the 9th off with a single to left. This was followed by a walk to Runge and a single to right by Kolbush, tying the score at 8 a piece. McCabe was intentionally walked to try and induce a force out at home plate. Daniel wasn't having any of that though as he promptly hit the first pitch to left field for a sacrifice fly scoring Runge easily from third for the win.
The Voyagers look to get their second win of the series Wednesday night at they will take on the Range Riders once again, with the game starting at 7 p.m.
Written by Ross Drishinski