Another Chukars Comeback Attempt Falters on 13-10 Loss to Great Falls

IDAHO FALLS, ID - Another comeback attempt by the Idaho Falls Chukars (22-17) faltered in the later innings as they dropped a second consecutive game to the Great Falls Voyagers (23-16) by a 13-10 score on Friday night at Melaleuca Field. The Chukars led 6-4 early, but the Voyagers tagged starter Sam Kornstad (L, 3-3) with ten runs, nine earned to take the fourth game of the six-game series. 

The Voyagers put themselves on the board first in the first inning on a Collin Runge solo homer to lead 1-0. Idaho Falls however countered against Voyagers starter Pablo Arevalo (W, 6-0) for four runs to take their first lead in the home half 

Brendan Hueth led off the frame with a single, and came around to score on a Steve Barmakian single when center fielder Jake Malec had issues throwing the hit ball back into the infield. With thhe game tied up 1-1, Calvin Estrada drove in Barmakian on a single to give the Chukars a 2-1 lead. Dusty Stroup singled to advance Calvin Estrada to third, putting runners at first and third. Estrada scored on a double steal, and Stroup came home on a Jose Reyes single to put the Chukars up 4-1 going into the second inning.

Great Fals however tied it up in the second on three runs, taking advantage of two RBI singles and an error by shortstop Jake Reinhardt to make it 4-4.

Once again the Chukars delivered a counter punch on a two-run bottom second. Reinhart singled in his first Chukar at-bat, and came around to score on a passed ball by catcher Nick Emanuel to give the Chukars their second lead, 5-4. Another Estrada RBI single made it 6-4 Chukars. 

The Voyagers took command of the game over the next three innings. One run scored in the third on a double from Will Olson, and four more scored in the fourth on four Voyagers hits to give Great Falls a 9-6 lead over the Chukars. An RBI double from Runge in the fifth made it 10-6, putting the Chukars down four runs.

Idaho Falls attempted a rally in the sixth, scoring three runs. Hueth reached on a fielder's choice and was advanced to second on a Barmakian single. Hunter Hisky advanved Hueth to third on a flyout to put runners at the corners. Estrada stepped to the plate with two outs and knocked in Hueth and Barmakian with a single to make it 10-8. Stroup was hit by a pitch to put Estrada at second, bringing Brady West to the plate. West connected for a single to score Estrada, and make it a one-run game 10-9. 

However three insurance runs came to score for the Voyagers in the seventh on two singles and a wild pitch, giving the Voyagers another four-run lead, 13-9. The scoring was capped in the ninth, wen Hueth drove in Jose Bermudez on a two-out double against Connor Spear (SV, 2) which gave the Chukars a chance, 13-10. Barmakian flied out to end the game, with the Chukars falling short of another comeback attempt.

The series continues tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Both starters are TBD. The game can be viewed on the Idaho Falls YouTube Channel, and heard on KSPZ The Sports Zone.