Great Falls Take Series in Missoula

The Great Falls Voyagers wrapped up their second to last series against the Missoula Paddleheads this season with a victory in what was a successful series for the team. This is their first series victory against Missoula in 2024, final tally of the series was 5 games to 1.

CJ Czerwinski got the start for the Voyagers against the Paddleheads' Nick Smith. The Voyagers came out of the gates on fire in game 6 and made quick work of Missoula's starter. The Voyagers exploded for 6 runs on Smith in the first inning, who only recorded one out in his start. Hylan Hall was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to kick off the scoring, then RBI base hits from Jack Lynch, Oscar Serratos Jr, and Jeff Nicol.

The team was already up 6-0 in the first frame when Freddy Rojas Jr stepped up to the plate and sent a 3-run homer out to deep right center. It was a no-doubter that was an emphatic cap-off to what has been a dominant series for the Voyagers. Rojas would add to his solid night with another RBI base hit in the third, and after three innings, the score was 10-1.

Alex Sanchez would try to will his team back into the game with a couple of home runs. The first being a solo shot in the second inning, and the next was a three-run homer in the bottom of the 4th to cut the score to a 10-4 advantage for Great Falls.

Pictured: LF Ryan Major

The V's wouldn't let Missoula build any momentum, though, as they have all series. Great Falls put up 4 runs in the very next frame, something that Missoula has done to us many times this season. RBI triples from Xane Washington and Oscar Serratos Jr. in the inning. The Paddleheads then put up two more runs in the bottom of the 5th, making the score 14-6 through 5 innings.

However, the Voyagers offense just kept piling on, making it impossible for the Paddleheads to come back. They scored three more runs in the 7th, RBI knocks again from Lynch and Serratos, who both had 3 RBI games. Jeff Nicol also hit his second homer in the 8th inning early in his time with the Voyagers. Final score of this one was 18-7.

This was a huge series win for the Voyagers, as they have drastically increased their chances of making the playoffs. Currently, they sit 5 games behind Oakland for the second playoff spot in the second half of the regular season. With only 18 games left, they need to have the best stretch of games they've had all year.

Game one against Billings is tomorrow night at 6:35, Jason Pineda is the anticipated starter for the Voyagers.