Voyagers Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss
Published on July 23, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Great Falls Voyagers News Release
Grand Junction, CO - The Voyagers clinched the Pioneer League North Division first-half title on Sunday night despite a 10-3 loss to the Rockies at Suplizio Field.
With Missoula eliminated from contention Sunday after a loss, Great Falls (21-15) earned its 11th playoff berth in the last 12 seasons. Grand Junction (19-17) has now won five straight, and is riding a seven-game home winning streak.
The Rockies raced out to a 4-0 lead after nine men came to the plate in the 3rd. Zach Hall opened the scoring with a solo home run deep to right, his first of two dingers on the night. After Cristopher Navarro singled, Will Golsan produced an RBI double and later scored on a sacrifice line drive to right by Hunter Stovall. Coco Montes doubled into the right field corner and scored the final run of the inning on a Grant Lavigne base hit to center.
The Voyagers cut the lead in half with a two-out rally in the top of the 4th. Ryan Fitzpatrick reached with a double off the wall in deep left. Jhoandro Alfaro followed with a two-run home run deep to center for his second of the season and it was 4-2.
Both teams scored runs in the 6th. Great Falls trimmed the lead to one with a Ryan Fitzpatrick solo home run launched to left. It was Fitzpatrick's second homer of the season and second on the current road trip. Eight Grand Junction batters pushed four more runs across in the home half. Grant Lavigne doubled to start the frame, and Javier Guevara was hit by a pitch. Reese Berberet then socked a three-run home run to center for a 7-3 cushion. Zach Hall doubled to right-center and later scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Will Golsan. The Rockies plated a run in the 7th and a final tally in the 8th on another Hall solo homer. Hall has three big flies in the first two games of the series.
Grand Junction outhit Great Falls 13-to-7. Grant Lavigne and Zach Hall each collected three hits. Lavigne drove in two. Hall drove in two and scored three times. For the Voyagers, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jhoandro Alfaro both went 2-for-4.
Reagan Todd posted the win in relief for the Rockies. Todd (1-0) pitched two innings with one strikeout and one walk. Lane Ramsey took the loss in his first professional start. Ramsey (2-1) lasted two-and-two-thirds and gave up four earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Great Falls continues its seven-game road trip with game three of four at Grand Junction Sunday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40. The Voyagers return home July 26th to face Helena in a four-game series at Centene Stadium that marks the start of the second-half. For 2018 ticketing and promotional information, call 406-452-5311 or visit www.gfvoyagers.com.
Pioneer League Stories from July 23, 2018
- Mustangs Snap Losing Streak with 10-8 Win over Owlz - Billings Mustangs
- Rox Riding Five-Game Streak - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Osprey and Chukars Set for Game Three of the Series Monday - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Voyagers Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss - Great Falls Voyagers
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