Voyagers Sweep Chukars; Get 2nd Walkoff Win of Series

Voyagers Get A Walk Off Win To Take Series

(Great Falls, Mt.) On Wednesday night, the Great Falls Voyagers (12-25) looked to sweep the 3-game series versus the Idaho Falls Chukars (14-25). The series had proven to be an exciting one in the first two games, and game three didn't let the fans down either, as the Voyagers won in walk-off fashion, 9-8.
The game started with the Chukars putting up plenty of runs early, scoring six runs in the first five innings. Putting one up in the first, two in the second, two in the third, and one more in the fourth.
The Voyagers matched the one run in the first as lead-off hitter Jake Malec drew a walk and came home on a single and a sac fly. The first is a single to right by Langston Ginder, and the rbi sacrifice comes from Riley Jepson to center. The Voyagers were dormant on the scoring until the 4th inning when they were able to put two up on the board.
The 4th started well with a single from Anthony Herron Jr., and he was rewarded with an easy jog around the bases as the ball left the park over the left field fence on a home run by Billy Hancock. The Voyagers trailing 6-3 after four innings, looked to move closer in the 5th.
The Voyagers were able to do so as they scored two more runs in the 5th inning. Ginder got a single to left field and was brought home on a double to left center by Jepson. Jepson was knocked home on a single up the middle by Jaylyn Williams to cut the score to 6-5 after five.
With relief pitcher Greg Blackman shutting out the Chukars, the Voyagers bats took advantage and tied the score at 6 in the 6th inning. Hesse drew a walk and moved to third on a single to left by Dilan Espinal. Hesse was able to trot home on a wild pitch by the Chukars to tie the game.
The Voyagers came through again in the 7th inning with a lead-off single by Jepson. Jepson moved to second on a single by Kolbush, and a walk to Herron Jr. loaded the bases. Hancock came through again as he lifted a fly ball deep enough to right field to score Jepson giving the Voyagers the 7-6 lead after 7.
The score remained that way as neither team could plate a run in the 8th, and Casey Minchey came in to pitch the 9th inning and try to secure the win and get his first save of the season. Some bad luck occurred, allowing two runs to score in the inning and giving the Chukars an 8-7 lead going to the bottom of the 9th inning.
Herron Jr. hit a single to center with one out, then moved to third on a single to right by Hancock. Hesse came through with a clutch single to center scoring Herron Jr. to tie the score at 8. Eddie McCabe was set to pinch hit for Espinal but got the intentional walk loading the bases with one out. In an effort to get the runner at the plate, the Chukars drew the infield in on the grass. This proved to be their demise, however, as Jake Malec hit a hard ground ball past the first baseman to score the winning run giving the Voyagers their second walk-off win of the series, 9-8!!
The Voyagers will travel to Idaho Falls for three games and take Sunday off before opening a six game home stand versus the Missoula PaddleHeads on July 10th at 7 p.m. See you at the ballpark!!