Voyagers Beat Missoula to Clinch Playoff Berth
Great Falls, MT-The Voyagers raced out to another early lead against Missoula before finally polishing off a 10-8 victory that secured the final Pioneer League playoff spot Friday night at Centene Stadium.
Great Falls, MT-The Voyagers raced out to another early lead against Missoula before finally polishing off a 10-8 victory that secured the final Pioneer League playoff spot Friday night at Centene Stadium.
With the win, Great Falls (34-41, 19-18) is headed to the postseason for a second consecutive year and the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. The Voyagers are 6-9 in the season series with the Osprey. Great Falls improved to 20-17 at home this season. Missoula (37-38, 18-19) is 15-22 on the road.
After the Osprey plated a single run in the top of the 1st, the Voyagers took a lead in the home half they would never relinquish. Newly-minted league MVP
The Voyagers extended the lead to 6-1 with one in the 2nd and three more in the 3rd.
Missoula scored two in the 4th.
Great Falls made it 9-3 with another three-run frame in the 5th. Leading off, Nate Nolan reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that put him at second. With one out, Nolan Brown doubled up the left field line to score Nolan. Craig Dedelow followed with a run-scoring double. A two-out single to left from Anthony Villa plated Dedelow.
The Osprey scored four unearned runs in the 7th to close the gap to 9-7. A single Missoula run in the 8th on a Brandon Leyton solo home run deep to left that banged off the scoreboard trimmed the lead to 9-8. The Voyagers started the bottom of the 8th with back-to-back doubles from Justin Yurchak and J.J. Muno for an insurance run and the game's final margin.
Great Falls outhit Missoula 14-to-11. Six Voyagers posted multi-hit games. Craig Dedelow, Anthony Villa, and J.J. Muno all collected two hits with two RBIs.
Great Falls plays its final regular-season game at home against Missoula Saturday night. First pitch at Centene Stadium is set for 7 o'clock. The Voyagers begin the Pioneer League playoffs against the Osprey with game 1 of the divisional round series at home Sunday at 6 p.m. Playoff tickets are on sale now. For 2017 general ticketing and promotional information, call 406-452-5311 or visit www.gfvoyagers.com.