Dramatic Opening Night Ends in ‘Knockout’ Defeat

IDAHO FALLS, ID - Opening night across the Pioneer League in 2024 saw the Missoula PaddleHeads open their season on the road in a battle with the Idaho Falls Chukars to open the season. It was a night of excitement at Melaleuca Field as the Pioneer League opened its 85th season. Many times during an opening day, the pomp and circumstance of pregame festivities is the highlight of the night. The dust then settles, and then it becomes the first of 96 games that are on the slate ahead. This opening night would prove to be much different in a dramatic run to the finish that featured seemingly countless twists and turns. 

Trailing by 3 headed to the top of the ninth the PaddleHeads were on the ropes trailing 6-3. With 2-outs recorded a walk to rookie outfielder Mike Rosario would slide the door open a crack for PaddleHeads shortstop Kameron Willman, representing the tying run. The former Kansas State Wildcat would clearly have a flair for the dramatic hitting a game tying home run to dead center field knotting things up at 6. This would send opening night to a 'Knockout'. 

After a winner could not be decided in the first 2 rounds, left handed outfielder Trevor Rodgers of the Chukars would need just one home run to send the Idaho Falls crowd home happy in the 3rd round of the knockout.  Fittingly, the reserve outfielder would come through with just one out left in his round hitting a home run to right center giving Idaho Falls the swing they needed in a 3rd round knockout win on opening night over the PaddleHeads. 

Idaho Falls would race to the lead in the early going in regulation thanks to a 3-run rally in the top of the 1st. First year man Myles Austin did a bulk of the damage knocking in a run, and scoring one himself. An RBI single would kick off the scoring in the frame before Austin scored on an RBI single off the bat of 2-year Chukar Chris Monroe as Idaho Falls opened a 3-0 advantage. A pair of errors also played a role in the rally. This early burst would prove to be a blip on the map as well for starter Alfredo Villa who would settle in. Austin, and Monroe would both finish with solid nights at the dish finishing 2-for-5. 

The reigning Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year would settle in nicely after the 1st retiring as many as 11 batters in a row from one stretch from the 2nd to the 6th. Villa would make it through 6 strong innings while striking out 5 and walking just 1. Villa would see the Chukar starter on the other side of the equation hold his end of the bargain as well setting up a tight finish down the stretch. 

Former Pirates farmhand Owen Sharts did his part in a fabulous outing for Idaho Falls allowing just 1 run over 7 innings of work while striking out 7. Sharts' best stretch came in the middle frames, retiring 8 consecutive hitters. Missoula's offense would find traction in the late innings however to keep their chances alive. 

A 2-run rally in the eighth would give the PaddleHeads a jolt. Kicking off the rally would be PaddleHead returnee Josh Elivir who knocked in a run with a single up the middle. First year outfielder Adam Fogel would then put a bow on a special night at the plate knocking in a run with a double to right center making the score 5-3. The former Kentucky Wildcat would double 3 times in the game finishing 3-for-4 in the contest. 

Fogel's efforts coupled with Willaman's home run in the 9th gave Missoula 5 runs in the final 2 innings to tie the game. It would prove to not be enough on this night after a wild sequence in the knockout round. Round 2 would prove to be the highlight with Rosario launching 2 home runs to kick off the round for Missoula. Idaho Falls would then see Monroe match that effort with his last available swing to keep the game alive. That swing proved to be the difference as it would propel the Chukars further into what would be a round 3 win. 

Game 2 of this 6 game slate featuring the PaddleHeads (0-1) and Chukars (1-0)  will get underway Wednesday night beginning at 7:05 p.m. All the action from Melaleuca Field can be followed live on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com.