Voyagers Hold off Mustangs Late Rally; Win in Knockout Round

Voyagers Win Game 2 in Home Run Duel

(Great Falls, Mt.) The Great Falls Voyagers (28-43/13-12) looked to pick up a win versus the Billings Mustangs (32-42/13-13) on Wednesday night to try a pick up a game in the 2nd half standings. Unfortunately for the Voyagers, the first-place Paddleheads won, but the good news was they won game two of the series.
The Voyagers took the early lead in the game, getting one run in the first inning as Billy Hancock reached on a fielder's choice. He was brought home as starting pitcher Pat Maybach threw two walks in the inning. The Voyagers loaded the bases, but a double play ball got them out of the inning without any more damage to the Mustangs.
In the 2nd inning, the Voyagers picked up another run as Gregory Ryan Jr. picked up a one-out walk and was pushed to third on a single to right by Charley Hesse. Ryan Jr. came home on a ground out to second by Xane Washington to give the Voyagers a 2-0 lead.
The 3rd inning saw the Voyagers pick up another 3 runs as lead off hitter, Riley Jepson followed by Jaylen Williams drew walks. Anthony Herron Jr. hit a triple to left center to score both runs and came home as Eddie McCabe hit a single to right field. With the Voyagers leading 5-0 after three innings, it looked like it might be an easy win.
However, the Voyagers weren't done as they picked up one more run in the 4th inning as catcher Billy Hancock had a double to right center and came home on two wild pitches by the Mustang starting pitcher. With a 6-0 lead after 4 inning and starting pitcher, Greg Blackman, pitching well it looked like the Voyagers had the easy win.
Then the top of the 6th inning happened. Blackman gave up three runs, and relief pitcher Bobby Vath, with two out in the 6th, could not get an out and gave up four runs to give the Mustangs a 7-6 lead at the end of the 6th inning.
Relief pitcher, Ethan Swanson came in during the 6th and pitched until the 9th shutting out the Mustangs before closer, Andrew Garcia, shut out the Mustangs. The Voyagers, however needed at least one more run to tie the score. They were able to do this in the 7th inning.
The 7th started with Jepson getting a double to left field. He moved to third on a hard-hit single to left by Williams. Another single to left by, Ryan Peltier, scored Jepson from third and gave the Voyagers a tie going into a Home Run Duel.
This was the second time at home the Voyagers have had a Home Run Duel, and with both times having been against the Mustangs. In the first game, the Mustangs could not hit a home run in the first round. In this game, nothing changed except the batter, as this time around, Mitch Moralez, could not hit any balls over the left field fence. Once again, the Voyagers, Herron Jr., came to the plate. He hit two balls considered outs before clobbering one over the left field wall at about the 405' mark to win the game for the Voyagers.
With the win, the Voyagers take over 2nd place in the second half of the season. They will look to move a little closer to the 1st place Missoula Paddleheads with a win Wednesday night over the Billings Mustangs. Take advantage of the great action, as the Voyagers are close to finishing the season!!