Series Final Game Called Early

(Great Falls, MT)- The Great Falls Voyagers (27-20) and Missoula PaddleHeads (35-12) tried to play their sixth and final game of their series Sunday afternoon. They were able to get in seven full innings before multiple lightning strikes in the area caused the game to be cancelled. 

The game started with a 100 degree temperature and the Missoula bats appeared to be on fire as they put up two runs in the first, five in the second and four in the third for a 12-0 lead before the Voyagers were able to produce even one run. 

The Voyager run came in the third after Breydon Daniel drew a walk, stealing second and being driven home on a Michael Deeb double to right field. Unfortunately, that was all the scoring the Voyagers could muster until the fifth inning, while the PaddleHeads plated five more runs in the fourth inning. 

The Voyagers showed some life in the fifth as the inning got under way with a Riley Jepson double to left. Deeb doulbed to right bringing home Jepson and was brought home himself on a single by Chris Monroe to right field. Two walks to Christopher DeGuzman and Lukas Polanco loaded the bases and a third walk to Breydon Daniel scored Monroe. With the bases loaded and only one out, it looked like things might develop for the Voyagers but a strikeout and groundout ended any hopes of a big inning for the Voyagers. 

The PaddleHeads continued their strong hitting as they plated two in both the sixth and seventh innings. The Voyagers were able to have a good inning in the seventh scoring four runs. Monroe started it off with a single to center, DeGuzman drew a walk as did Lukas Polanco. Myles Mckisic hit a ground ball to short and the PaddleHeads couldn't turn a double play, only getting Polanco out at second. That scored Monroe, and a double by Adam Oviedo to center scored DeGuzman and McKisic. The hot bat of Jepson hit a hard hit line drive to center that went off the ivy and gave Jepson a triple, knocking home Oviedo in the process. 

With the Voyagers trailing 21-8 going into the eighth inning, the PaddleHeads were batting with two outs and two on when lightning was seen in the proximity. Due to lightning rules, the game was put on suspension for a half hour. While waiting, more lighting strikes were seen and in looking at the weather radar it appeared more delays were expected. Given the circumstances, the game was called with the PaddleHeads getting the win and finishing the first half of the season with a record of 35-12. The Voyagers came in second for the first half of the season with a record of 27-20. 

The Voyagers will now have Monday off, then travel to Billings for a six game series versus the Mustangs to start the second half of the season. The Voyagers will be back at the friendly confines of Centene Stadium on July 26th to welcome in the Idaho Falls Chukars for the first time this year in a six game series. So get ready for some great action as the Voyagers look to win the second half of the season and make the playoffs!