Osprey Close 2016 with Victory

The Missoula Osprey (33-42) led 3-2 headed into the sixth inning of a game against Great Falls (47-28) on Thursday night before the Voyagers scored four in the top of the sixth only to have rain wash away the rest of the game and, by way of Rule 7.02(b)(4)(A), have the game revert back to the last completed inning and hand Missoula the win.

Kal Simmons was scheduled to play all nine positions for the O's on Thursday night, but he was left in the rain in centerfield in the top of the sixth. Simmons, who started at first base, played second, third, shortstop and left field before moving to center in the sixth.

At the plate, the native of Nashville, Ga. went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Missoula received a stellar start from right-hander Ryan Atkinson, as Atkinson dealt 5.0 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with a career-best eight strikeouts. For his efforts, he was credited with a complete-game victory and moved to 1-4 on the year. The complete game was the fourth straight to finish the season for Missoula.

Trailing 1-0 headed to the bottom of the fourth, Missoula drew even on a Simmons RBI-double that brought home Eudy Ramos. Ramos had drawn a walk and stole second to set the table for the game-tying hit.

Great Falls wasted no time responding and reclaiming the lead, plating an unearned run in the fifth to move the tally to 2-1.

Missoula manufactured a run in the home half of the fifth when Gabriel Maciel singled, stole second, moved to third on a ground ball to the right side, and came in to score the tying run on a sacrifice fly from Yan Sanchez.

Now tied with two out in the fifth, Ryan January singled to get the ball rolling again. The single was followed by an error charged to Brady Conlan, keeping the inning alive for Andy Yerzy. The 18-year old backstop came up clutch on the ensuing play, shooting an RBI-double off the wall in right field that proved to be the game-winner.

Right-hander Adam Panayotovich got the start and took the loss for Great Falls, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits over 5.0 innings. The loss dropped Panayotovich to 4-6 on the year.