PaddleHeads Hang On In Slugfest Over Chukars Friday
Missoula Tallies 22 Hits in 18-17 Victory Over Idaho Falls
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 22 | 1 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 2 |
IDAHO FALLS, ID - the Missoula PaddleHeads, and Idaho Falls Chukars prepared for a relatively normal day at the ballpark leading into their matchup in game 4 of a 6 game set. The crowd rolled into Melaleuca Field like they had on countless other occasions throughout the years for a ballgame on a Friday night. What ended up taking place on the field was far from the realm of normalcy however in a game that featured wacky twists, and turns. Both teams would tally 35 runs combined in the game. One team would have 7-run rallies in two separate innings to highlight their best efforts. That team would also end up on the losing side of things when all things were said and done.
Idaho Falls would have 7-run rallies in both the 4th, and 7th innings. Surprisingly, the Chukars would only find themselves in the lead after one of these rallies as Missoula would also score runs in 6 of 9 innings overall. Missoula's offense would also feature 3 players with 4 hits or more in the game as Giovanni DiGiacomo, Roberto Pena, and Alex Sanchez would all fit that bill. It may not have been done in a way anyone expected, but Missoula found a way to get to the finish line on this night. They would do so behind one last push in the final 2 innings, hanging on for an 18-17 win in a game that went well past the 4-hour mark.
The PaddleHeads seemingly had things under control in the early going, jumping out to a sizable lead behind a 5-run rally in the top 4th inning. Pena would do the first chunk of damage hitting a 2-run double in the frame. DiGacomo would also knock in a run with a single in the inning as Missoula saw its lead grow to 8-1. In DiGacomo's first game as a PaddleHead, the Duke product tallied 5 RBIs finishing 5-for-7 in the win. Pena would knock in 5 runs of his own in the win to finish 4-for-7. Seemingly in a blink of an eye however, Idaho Falls would get right back into it.
Idaho Falls would level things up in the bottom of the inning behind their first of 2 7-run rallies. Former Giants product Tyler Wyatt would get things rolling with a 3-run blast in the frame. Second baseman Jacob Jablonski also knocked in a run in the rally with a single as Idaho Falls would send 12 batters to the dish. With the game knotted at 8, more wackiness would ensue in the next half inning.
Pena would get the PaddleHeads right back to the lead with another 2-run basehit to make the score 10-8 to start a rally for Missoula in the 5th. The highlight however would be Sanchez and his first professional home run. The Florida International product would clear the bases with a grand slam down the right field line giving Missoula a 14-8 lead. Sanchez would knock in 4 runs in the win finishing 2-for-3. The offense on the other side of the equation however still had something left to say.
7 more runs for the Chukars would score in the 7th as Idaho Falls would take their first and only lead of the night by a score of 16-14. The 2nd home run of the night for Wyatt would be the first sign of trouble ahead of an RBI double from former PaddleHead Brandon Bohning. Pinch hitter Zaid Walker delivered the clutch swing with a 2-run double in the frame that gave the Chuars the lead in the rally. That would be the last bullet in the chamber for Idaho Falls however as Missoula would somehow battle back once more.
The PaddleHeads would score 4 runs in the 8th, and 9th combined to find just enough on this night to hang on for the 1 run win. Pena would knock in runs in both the 8th, and 9th innings. DiGacomo, and Rosario would both tally RBIs in those frames allowing Missoula to grab their 3rd win of the week. Andrew Garcia would also pitch a clean 9th earning his 2nd save in as many nights.
Missoula (3-1) has now won their last 3 after falling on Opening Night to Idaho Falls (1-3) in dramatic fashion. With a win in game 5 of the series Saturday night, the PaddleHeads would clinch a series win on the road. First pitch from Melaleuca Field is set for 7:05 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
