The Grand Junction Rockies opened up their Pioneer League Championship Series against the Great Falls Voyagers on Tuesday night and the bats came alive in Game 1. Sixth round pick Niko Decolati led the Rookie League club with a 2-for-4 performance that included a two-run home run, Hunter Stoval had a home run and a double, and Coco Montes went 2-for-6 with two RBI, as well.
PuRPs Grant Lavigne and Daniel Montano had shakier nights at the plate—Montano had a bases-loaded strikeout in the first inning before being removed from the game in the third—but Lavigne managed to work two walks and scored twice despite going hitless.
Grand Junction will look to stay alive and even the series against the Voyagers on Thursday night and will need more consistency from their pitching staff if they want to have a chance to win the championship in 2018.
★ ★ ★
Rookie: Great Falls Voyagers 12, Grand Junction Rockies 9
Grant Lavigne (no. 9 PuRP): 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, K
Daniel Montano (no. 14 PuRP): 0-for-1, K
Niko Decolati (Round 6, 2018): 2-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI, BB
Coco Montes (Pioneer League MVP): 2-for-6, 2 RBI, K
Hunter Stovall (Round 21, 2018): 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
★ ★ ★
Thursday (Game 2) Probables
Rookie Level Grand Junction: TBD @ Great Falls Voyagers, 7:00 PM MT