Voyagers come back comes up short

(Great Falls, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (15-8) came in to the second game of a three game series versus the Billings Mustangs (10-10) hoping to get a win and secure the series win. Trailing all night the Voyagers made a valiant effort but came up short in the end.

The game started well for the Mustangs as they scored 3 in the top of the first inning. The Voyagers did answer with one in the bottom of the second as Collin Runge drew a walk and was brought home by a double from the new guy on the team, Myles McKisic.

The Voyagers gave up 3 in the third and on in the sixth inning before they put up more numbers on the score board. Trailing 7-1 going into their half of the 6th Eddie McCabe started the inning off with a single to center. McKisic drew a walk and they were both brought home by a hard hit line drive to the right field corner from Adam Oviedo. When the dust had settled Oviedo stood at third with a triple and the Voyagers trailed 7-3. Oviedo was left standing at 3rd however so the score stayed that way.

The Mustangs had an answer in the 7th inning though as while they had given up 3 runs they got 3 runs back, and added another 3 in the 8th inning. Going into the bottom of the 8th the Voyagers, in some people's eyes, might have been fighting a losing battle as they trailed 13-3. One thing we have learned from the Voyagers this year, they are never truly out of a game.

Breydon Daniel was hit by a pitch to start the 8th followed by a single to left by Jake Malec. Andy Atwood hit a grounder to center that was mishandled allowing him to move to third and Daniel and Malec scoring easily. Michael Deeb hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Atwood, and Nick Emanuel hit a single to right. A double by Colling Runge scored Emanuel and he was brought home on a double by McKisic. So just like that the Voyagers found themselved down by only five runs going into the 9th inning.

A two run home run by the Mustangs Gabe Wurtz gave the Mustangs some extra cushion going into the bottom of the 9th. Voyagers Daniel started off with a single to left then moved to second on a wild pitch. Malec hit a ball right on the screws but unfortunately the line drive was right at the third baseman for the first out. Atwood hit a double bringing home Daniel, and Deeb drew a walk. Another single by Emanuel scored those two making it a 4 run lead for the Mustangs. Emanuel was able to get to second on a wild pitch and was joined on the bases by Derek Kolbush who was hit by a pitch, but unfortunately they were stranded there and the rally came up short.

The Voyagers will get their chance to win the series Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Voyagers are now 10-4 at home while the Mustangs are now 3-8 on the road, so the odds are in the Voyagers favor. It's Father's Day so bring your dad to Centene Stadium for hi Father's Day gift! See you at the game!!

Written by Ross Drishinski