Voyagers Win In First Ever Knockout Round At Centene Stadium

(Great Falls, MT)— The Great Falls Voyagers (7-5) came into the final game of a six game series versus the Idaho Falls Chukars (7-5) needing a victory to not only win the series, but more importantly to tie the Chukars for the lead in the second half of the season. The Voyagers obtained both, and did it in style, winning in the first ever Knockout Round at Centene Stadium. 

The game started off tremendously well for the Voyagers, as they kept the Chukars off the scoreboard and scored four runs themselves in the first inning. The first run came off a solo shot over the right field fence from Jake Malec. Riley Jepson and Derek Kolbush both drew walks, which paid big dividends for the Voyagers as Collin Runge cleared the bases with a shot over the left field fence making it 4-0 after one inning. 

The Chukars are a very good team, and showed it, as they scored three runs in their half of the second inning and held the Voyagers off the scoreboard until the fourth inning. The Voyagers Myles McKisic reached first on an error by the Chukars and stole second base. He was then brought home on a double to right field by Malec. 

The Voyagers were able to put one more run up in the fifth inning as well, as Kolbush drew a walk to start the inning. Another walk for Runge moved Kolbush to second, and a ground out to second by Will Olson then moved him to third. Kolbush was able to score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Adam Oviedo. 

The Voyagers took a 6-3 lead going into the sixth inning, but the Chukars were able to score three runs on four hits, tying the score at 6-6. The score would stay this way with both squads' relief pitchers coming through and not allowing anyone past second base the rest of the game. 

This would set up a moment in history, as the Voyagers and Chukars would become the topic of sports trivia forever, becoming the first two teams to play in a Knockout Round at Centene Stadium. The Chukars sent up their right fielder, Calvin Estrada, who has 13 home runs this season. Estrada was unable to hit any of his attempts over the fence, leaving several on the warning track. 

The Voyagers chose the 6'4" 235lb man from Kamloops, British Columbia to the plate, Riley Jepson. Jepson stepped in to the left batters box and hit a line drive short of the fence. Jepson put the cheering crowd into a frenzy as he deposited the next pitch from Manager Tommy Thompson over the right field fence to win the game.

The Voyagers will now go on the road to face the Missoula PaddleHeads for three games on the road and return Friday night to face the PaddleHeads for a three game home stand. If you want to catch all the excitement, be sure to come to Centene Stadium Friday, August 5, for a 7 p.m. first pitch.