Voyagers Snap Losing Streak; Offense and Pitching Coming Together

Voyagers Win In Convincing Manner

(Great Falls, Mt. ) On Wednesday night, the Great Falls Voyagers (9-21) looked to tie the three-game series up against the Missoula Paddleheads (24-8). The Voyagers won with an all-around good game between pitching, fielding, and hitting.
The first inning started with the Voyagers getting a run without getting a hit. Langston Ginder was hit by a pitch and then moved to 3rd base on a throwing error by the pitcher. Ginder came home on a ground out by Collin Runge to give the Voyagers an early 1-0 lead. The Paddleheads scored two in the 2nd and one in the third to take the lead back to 3-1.
The batting struck often in the 3rd inning for the Voyagers as Matthew Richardson started the inning off with a double to left field. Xane Washington reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, and Ginder brought Richardson home with a single to center. Washington and Ginder performed a perfect double steal, placing them third and second. They stayed there as the next two batters got put out and brought up Derek Kolbush. Kolbush gave the Voyagers back the lead with a towering shot over the left field fence, making it a Voyager 5-3 lead after three innings.
Starting pitcher Shane Gustafson left the game after a strong five innings, giving up four runs, but only 2 of them earned. The Paddleheads aren't sitting in first place in the Northern Division for no reason, however, as they tied the game up in the 6th at 5-5.
The Voyagers put the game in the pitcher's arms as they scored four runs in the 7th inning. Ginder started the inning with a double to right center, followed by a single from Jaylyn Williams to left, scoring Ginder. Jake Malec came in to pinch run for Williams, moved to second on a passed ball, and came home on a single to left by Kolbush. Anthony Herron Jr. drew a walk, and Kolbush came home by Billy Hancock on a single to right. Herron Jr. was tagged out on a daring move by Manager Tommy Thompson on a squeeze bunt play at home. Charley Hesse doubled down the left field line bringing home Hancock to give the Voyagers a 9-4 lead after seven innings.
The Voyagers relief pitcher, Brady Held, and Andrew Garcia shut down the Paddleheads in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning to secure the win for the Voyagers and tie the 3-game series up at one game a piece. The Voyagers will look to take the series as game three will be played Thursday night with a start time of 7 p.m.