Complete Game By Tyler Naumann Secures Win For The Voyagers

(Great Falls, MT)— The Great Falls Voyagers (9-7) opened a three game home stand versus the Missoula PaddleHeads (9-7) on Friday night. The Voyagers had just played three games in Missoula, losing two of them, and wanted to get a win to get back on track. 

The pitchers for both squads came out strong to start the game, as the PaddleHeads' Mark Timmins and the Voyagers' Tyler Naumann didn't allow a score until the fourth inning. The fourth inning saw the Voyagers strike first, as Michael Deeb got the inning started with a single up the middle. Deeb was brought home as Adam Oviedo hit a hard ball to right center for a triple. Oviedo was then brought home on a sacrifice fly ball to right field by Lukas Polanco.

The Voyagers were able to score one more run in the fifth inning as Breydon Daniel got a single to center. A ground ball to short by Jake Malec led to Daniel being out at second, but Malec was safe at first. Malec then stole second base and Riley Jepson and Derek Kolbush drew walks. With the bases loaded, Deeb came to the plate. Deeb was able to deliver once again in a clutch situation by hitting a fly ball to right, deep enough to score Malec. 

Leading 3-0 and Naumann still pitching, the Voyagers looked poised to win it. The PaddleHeads had other plans, however, as they got three singles in the seventh inning to load the bases. An error by the Voyagers' Oviedo allowed one run to score, but Naumann pitched out of the trouble by inducing an infield pop up and striking out a batter for the third out. 

The Voyagers' bats were unable to get any more runs, but after the seventh inning, Naumann didn't allow any more himself. Naumann came into the ninth inning and got two stike outs and a lazy pop fly to left to get the complete game win at 3-1. 

The Voyagers look to secure a series win as they take on the PaddleHeads Saturday night at Centene Stadium. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.