Big Missoula Counterpunch Takes Game from Voyagers

July 7, 2012 - Pioneer League (PL) Great Falls Voyagers

GREAT FALLS - The Great Falls Voyagers (10-9) had to wait two hours for rain to clear before they could start they game with the Missoula Osprey (11-8), then couldn't hold an early lead and fell 9-2. The loss gave the Osprey the series and dropped the Voyagers into third place in the tightly contested North Division standings.

Two very short, intense downbursts around thirty minutes before scheduled first pitch soaked the field enough that Voyager staff was hard at work repairing it for the next two hours. The game finally got underway at 9:05 PM as the Voyagers sent Brandon Parrent out to start. Parrent pitched two scoreless innings and left the game as-planned to allow Chris Beck to enter in the third. Before Beck entered, the Voyagers struck first blood when Mike Marjama, in his second game back from a two week layoff with a hand injury, smashed a hanging curve to left for his first home run of the season and a 2-0 Voyager lead.

Beck held the lead with a scoreless third before allowing four hits and three runs in the fourth to give Missoula the lead 3-2. The Osprey started the inning with a triple and a double, two of seven Missoula extra-base hits in the game, the most allowed by Voyagers pitchers this season. The close game turned ugly in the fifth when Brandon Brennan entered for his planned innings and allowed a trio of hits and two walks. An error and a hit allowed by Ryan Bollinger concluded the scoring after the Osprey scored six runs, three unearned.

The Voyagers were completely flummoxed from there, with only three hits after the Marjama home run. The four hit total was the lowest of the season for the Voyagers' offense. Marjama's bat was a bright spot as he collected on of the Voyager's last two hits and finished 2-3, a welcome performance after two frustrating weeks getting healthy.

The Voyagers return to Centene Stadium Saturday night to begin a three game series with the Billings Mustangs (12-7). Saturday night's game is Montana Federal Credit Union Free Ticket Night and Micro Beer Saturday Presented by Eagle Beverage. The Great Falls Tribune Concert Series also continues as Joe Ryan will play a free pregame concert for fans. The game starts at 7 PM and the gates open early at 5:30 for the concert. Tickets are available at 452-5311 or at gfvoyagers.com.

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Pioneer League Stories from July 7, 2012

• Snyder Extends Hitting Streak in 4-1 Loss - Orem Owlz
• Voyagers' Pitching Lassos Mustangs - Great Falls Voyagers
• Pitching Carries If (Again) to 4-1 Win - Idaho Falls Chukars
• Big Missoula Counterpunch Takes Game from Voyagers - Great Falls Voyagers
• Owlz Offense Dominates Raptors for 12-3 Win - Orem Owlz
• Osprey Get Past Voyagers, 9-2 - Missoula Osprey
• Chukars Drop Heartbreaker to Rox 2-1 - Idaho Falls Chukars

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