Voyagers Win Back-to-Back Games Over Billings

It feels like the baseball team out in Great Falls might be turning a page on their 2024 season here in the Pioneer league. The offense reached new heights last night, as the team was victorious again in game three of their second Billings series of the year. They have won back-to-back games, and now hold a 2-1 series lead over Billings

Yesterday was definitively the most complete game the Great Falls Voyagers have played this season in all three facets of the game. Firstly, starter Nate Madej had another quality outing, going 5 innings, surrendering 2 runs, both earned, on 6 hits and 5 walks with three strikeouts. Nate found himself in trouble with runners in scoring position several times, but was able to work his way out of tough situations. In the top of the 4th, the Voyagers were up 6-1 when Billings got two base hits to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Nate kept the ball in the infield for the next three batters, striking out one and getting out of the inning undamaged. 

It was also a tremendous night for the long ball in Great Falls. Great Falls players totaled 4 home runs last night, two of which came from 3B/1B Frank Podkul, who put on an offensive clinic yesterday. Podkul went 4-4 with two three-run homers, 7 RBI's total, and forced a walk as well. It was a flawless night at the plate for Frank, who was quick to credit his teammates after the game. "It helps when you have 20 hits as a team, we always had guys on base. Every at-bat I had today, I had guys on base. When we put that type of pressure on pitchers, you're gonna get a lot of easy pitches to hit in the zone."

Podkul has also began to assume a vocal leadership role on the team, which has been awesome to see. Podkul is the oldest and one of the most experienced players on the team, and he has been passing down knowledge and affirmations to the young guys around his team more and more as the season advances. 

Podkul also talked about the ways that he's been guiding and trying to assist the young guys in the locker room, as well as out on the field. "I've been bouncing around all the independent leagues since 2019, so I've seen a lot, and a lot of the guys over time have started to trust me - for me it was like, let's be the calming presence for the young guys." 

"At this level, winning is a skill, just as much as hitting, throwing, or anything else; learning how to win is a big deal and hopefully this is the week we need for us to start really getting in a groove." 

Players Kody Putnam and Hylan Hall also hit their first professional home runs of their careers last night, Hall with a solo homer to center field in the bottom 3, and Putnam with a 3-runner in the 5th. The team totaled 20 base hits, the most they've had all season, as well as 18 runs, also a 2024 season record for the boys. The team also recorded no errors for the first time this season, and solid pitching outings all around made this a high-quality game from all sides for the Voyagers. 

Carter Gannaway comes in for 2 solid innings of relief in the 6th and 7th, Reinoso wraps it up in the 9th. Final score was 18-5, advantage Voyagers. The two teams go at it again tonight at 7 PM for Wendy's Baseball Bingo Night! Be sure to grab some bingo cards on your way in tonight! Winners can receive a bunch of prizes such as a fleece blanket, shoe charms, coupons and more!