Voyagers Earn Series Win in 7-5 Victory Over PaddleHeads Saturday

Missoula, MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads once again fell into an early hole in game 5 of a 6 game set opposite the Great Falls Voyagers at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. Great Falls would score 5 unanswered over the first four innings to take control early. Missoula would battle in the middle innings cutting into the deficit, but would never be able to get over the hump in a 7-5 loss. 

After scoring three runs in the top of the second, The Voyagers would add on a pair more thanks to Collin Runge who would be the catalyst of the Great Falls attack. Runge brought home a pair on a single that scored Adam Oviedo, and Tavis Brunson. Munge would go on to finish the game 4-for-5. The Oregon native has been a menace at the plate over his last two games especially finishing 7-for-10 in that stretch.

The PaddleHeads would jump on the board in the home half of the fourth thanks to rookie second baseman Brandon Bohning who would line a double down the left field line to score a pair to make the score 5-2. Despite trimming into the lead, Great Falls would make sure that would not become a trend in  the fifth. 

Adam Oviedo doubled off the wall in right field in the inning, scoring 2 matching its largest lead of the game in the process at 7-2. The Voyagers would be held scoreless the rest of the way as the bullpen combination of Quintin Longrie, and Sam Hellinger would hold the Voyagers off the board in four shutout innings. The duo would allow only 1 hit combined in those frames while striking out 5. 

Nick Gatewood cut into the Voyager lead in the fifth inning with a two run double that brought home Lamar Sparks, and Cameron Thompson which made the score 7-4. Sparks was solid at the plate in the loss finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored while Gatewood was 2-for-5. Missoula would also threaten in the sixth, and seventh, but would strand two runners in both innings failing to cut further into the deficit.

Sparks would give the PaddleHeads life in the ninth, scoring a run in the frame after reaching on a single in the inning in a final attempt to erase the deficit. The last gasp attempt would fall short however as Great Falls would turn Missoula away earning yet another win. 

With the victory, Great Falls (9-2) ensures that they will depart the Garden City with a winning record in this six game slate after taking its fourth consecutive game against the PaddleHeads (5-6). Missoula will look to end the series on a high note Sunday in the first matinee affair in Missoula this summer. First pitch from Allegiance Field at Ogren Park is set for 2:05 p.m. To catch all the action, tune in on ESPN Missoula 102.9, and gopaddleheads.com.