Voyagers 9th inning rally comes up short

(Great Falls, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (21-14) and Glacier Range Riders (13-21) have provided a week of exciting games for fans and Sunday proved no different. A late bottom of the 9th inning rally by the Voyagers came up just short however, as they dropped their first game of this six game series. The Voyagers now lead the series 4-1.

The game started well for the Glacier squad as they had a two run home run in the top of the first inning. They added a solo home run in the second to take an early 3-0 lead after two innings. Starting pitcher, Tyler Naumann, for the Voyagers didn't pitch bad as through seven innings he held the Range Riders to 6 hits. Unfortunately for Naumann four of those hits were home runs. Including the two in the first and second, another 2 run shot was hit to center in the 4th and a one run blast in the 7th.

Starting pitcher, Noah Barros, for the Range Riders kept the Voyager bats in line through 7 innings only allowing 4 hits and one run. That run came in the fifth inning as Christopher De-Guzman started the inning off with a single to center. De-Guzman stole second base and was moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Nick Emanuel. De-Guzman was able to come home on a sac fly by Adam Oviedo to second. Normally a fly ball to second wouldn't score someone, but the second baseman was running to the outfield and De-Guzman wisely saw the momentum was taking him away from home and beat the throw home.

Relief pitcher, Brad Demco came in to start the 8th inning and held the Range Riders scoreless in the 8th and 9th, only allowing one hit. The Voyagers saw a new pitcher in the 8th inning and immediately took advantage scoring two runs.

Oviedo was hit by a pitch and was brought home by a towering blast over the right field fence by Breydon Daniel. The 9th inning saw the Voyagers down 6-3. Riley Jepson started the inning with a walk and was moved to third on a single by Michael Deeb to center field. With runners at the corners Derek Kolbush hit a slow grounder to second forcing home Jepson and Deeb moving to second. De-Guzman got his second hit of the game with a single to left moving Deeb to third. With runners at the corner once again, Emanuel hit a single to left scoring Deeb, and putting De-Guzman at third. Tavis Brunson pinch hit for Oviedo and hit a sharply hit grounder to third. De-Guzman broke for home on contact and was thrown out at the plate. With two out and runners at first and second, Daniel came to the plate. Daniel hit a long fly ball to deep center field, a hit that went at least 410 feet, unfortunately the wall is 420 feet and the 9th inning rally was over.

A great effort by the Voyagers that made the game exciting for the fans came up just short but they will get another chance to get another win on Monday night at 7 p.m. Don't forget it's July 4th and in celebration, the Voyagers will be having a fireworks extravaganza following the game!! See you at the ballpark!!

Written by Ross Drishinski