Chukars Lose Lead in Fourth, Fall To Missoula 9-2

MISSOULA, MT - Eight unanswered runs in the middle innings sank the Idaho Falls Chukars (18-12) chances against the Missoula Paddleheads (21-9), falling 9-2 on Wednesday night at Ogren Park. The Chukars have yet to win a game against Missoula and are now three games back of first in the North Division, remaining in second place.

The Paddleheads opened the scoring in the bottom half of the first on a solo homer from Lamar Sparks with two outs against Joe Slocum (L, 2-2) to lead 1-0. Idaho Falls countered in the second with an RBI single from Steve Barmakian against Nick Merkel (W, 4-0) to tie it up 1-1. 

The Chukars took the lead in the the third, their only lead of the ballgame. Brendan Hueth drew a one out walk and was advanced to third on a Hunter Hisky single. Calvin Estrada brought Hueth home on a single to give the Chukars a 2-1 lead. 

However, Missoula took the lead on a four-run fourth inning on five hits, chasing Slocum from the game. Victor Rodriguez took to the mound and managed the Chukars out of the inning, but in he fifth he was tagged with two runs earned on a Nick Gatewood double and a Cameron Thomspon single. 

The Chukars had opportunities to cut into the deficit, but were unable to manuever baserunners into scoring position, and did not score a run the rest of the game. Missoula added on two more runs in the sixth and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Chukars. Two shutout innings tossed by the debuting Logan Bender and by Keagan McGinnis kept the score as is, but the Chuks were unable to take advantage of that.

The series continues tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Both starters are TBD.