Voyagers get a walk off win to start series versus Range Riders

(Great Falls, Mt) - The Great Falls Voyagers (18-13) playing a home game for the first time in 10 days, needed a win to get back on the right track. They would have to do that against a very good offensive team in the Glacier Range Riders (12-18). The Voyagers in nine games have a 6-3 record versus the Range Riders and hoped to keep the winning ways going in the first game of a six game series.

The game started with a solo home run for the Range riders, they would have three home runs in the game, but all of them solo shots. They would add two more runs in the second and lead after two, 3-0 before the Voyager bats got going.

Voyager catcher, Nick Emanuel started the 3rd inning off with an infield single to third. He was able to reach second on the throwing error by the 3rd baseman. Breydon Daniel hit a grounder to first that was bobbled by the first baseman allowing him to reach and Emanuel to go to third. Daniel stole second base putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Range Riders pitcher committed an error on a throw, allowing Emanuel to score and Daniel to move to third base. Daniel then scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Jake Malec.

With the score 3-2 things were looking up for the Voyagers but two runs by the Range Riders gave them back a 3 run lead after 4 innings. Trailing 5-2 going into the 5th inning the Voyagers were able to push a run across after Collin Rungee got a single to right with two out. A single to center by Riley Jepson had Rungee running hard and he was able to score at home on a close play.

The Voyagers went down by 3 runs once again though as Glacier plated a run in the 7th on their second solo homerun of the game. Voyagers came back stong in their half of the 7th to tie the game at 6.

The inning started with a Malec bunt single, then a stolen base. Rungee drew a base on balls to put runners at first and second. Jepson hit a fly ball to center moving Malec to third. Derek Kolbush came up with runners at the corners and cleared the bases with a hard hit ball to right center and ending up on third himself. Michael Deeb hit a shallow fly ball to center and 3rd base coach Brandon Kloess sent Kolbush. A strong throw by the Glacier center fielder beat Kolbush to the plate with the Range Rider catcher fielding the ball about 4 feet up the third base line. Kolbush ran into the catcher and was tagged. The homeplate umpire called Kolbush safe however, due to a rule that does not allow catchers to block the entire base path was called. This was the right call as the catcher had his left knee down on the foul side of the baseline and his right knee on the infield side. This did not allow Kolbush any room to avoid the collision with the catcher.

Having tied the game at 6 going into the 8th it appeared that the Voyagers had the momentum. The Range Riders stole it back however, as they hit their 3rd solo homerun of the game in the 8th inning. Trailing into the bottom of the 9th 7-6, the Voyagers would need some early fireworks this 4th of July week.

Not ones to shy away from heroics the Voyagers started the 9th off with a base on balls by Rungee and a single to left by Jepson. Kolbush came to the plate and with a count of 3 balls and 1 strike hit a ground ball to right field. This easily scored Rungee, but with the Glacier right field mishandled the ball and then fell down, Jepson was also able to score easily. Thus the Voyagers came away with another walkoff win in exciting fashion.

The Voyagers will face the Range Riders in game two of the six game series on Thursday night with gates opening at 6 and first pitch at 7 p.m. Don't miss any of the action and come out and enjoy the game!!

Written by Ross Drishinski