Voyagers come back in 8th inning to win game one of three game series

(Great Falls, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (15-7) came into Friday nights action versus the Billings Mustangs (9-9) after dropping two straight games against Missoula. The Voyagers needed a win to stick with the Northern Division leading Idaho Falls Chukars and didn't let the crowd down in an exciting finish.

The games started off great for the Mustangs as they scored 3 in the first and 2 in the second. The Voyagers on the other hand waited until the bottom of the 2nd to get their bats going and did so in a big way. They scored 5 in the bottom of the 2nd to even the score.

Eddie McCabe started the inning off with a walk, and was moved to second on a single to left by Tavis Brunson. Nick Emanuel moved the runners up with a slow roller to first for the first out of the inning. Adam Oviedo loaded the bases with a walk and Jake Malec took full advantage of that as he knocked home two with a single to right. Not to be outdone, Andy Atwood hit a double to right field scoring one. Riley Jepson hit a double to right scoring Malec and moving Atwood to third. Atwood scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Michael Deeb finishing the scoring for the Voyagers but tying the score at 5.

The Mustangs were able to get 2 in the top of the 4th but the lead didn't last long as the Voyagers scored three in bottom of the 4th to give starter Quincy Jones his first lead of the game.

Atwood started the 4th off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Jepson to left. Atwood and Jepson then pulled off the rarely seen and accomplished double steal. After getting two outs the chance for some runs came down to McCabe, who promptly hit a double to right, tying the score. McCabe was able to score on a single to center by Brunson. Giving the Voyagers an 8-7 lead.

The Mustangs were able to take the potential win away from Jones however as they scored one in the top of the 6th inning. Neither team was able to score again until the Voyagers came up to bat in the 8th inning.

Leading things off for the Voyagers was Atwood who grounded out. This lead to four hits in a row for the Great Falls squad though as Breydon Daniel had a single, Colling Rungee a single, Michael Deeb a double and McCabe a single. McCabe was able to steal second and move to third on a wild pitch. A double to left by Derek Kolbush scored McCabe and Oviedo joined Kolbush on base with an infield single to short. Atwood came up and quickly brought Mcabe and Oviedo home with a single to left field.

With the Voyagers leading 14-8 and only 3 outs to secure the win, Montana Quigley, pitched his 3rd shutout inning for the night to secure the win. The Voyagers will look to secure a series win by getting another win Saturday night with first pitch at 7 p.m. It should be a beautiful evening for a baseball game so come on out to Centene Stadium and bring your dog for dog night at the park!

Written by Ross Drishinski