Offense Leads Way to Series Win Over Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS, ID - Offensive production told a big part of the story all week long at Melaleuca Field in action between the Idaho Falls Chukars, and Missoula PaddleHeads. In Sunday's series finale of the 6-game series Missoula was in search of a win to claim a series victory in their first action of the regular season. The PaddleHeads offense would continue its trend with another big day with the offense tallying over 10 runs for the 5th straight game. Despite this, no lead would seem safe on this day in what turned into another wild day at the ballpark. 

The PaddleHeads attack would tally 21 hits on the day with 5 players in the order finishing with 3 hits or more. On the flipside however, the Chukars would never go away thanks in large part to 2 separate rallies that resulted in at least 6 runs or more coming in. This included the 2 biggest rallies of the game of 8 runs in the 2nd, and 6 runs in the 4th inning. Idaho Falls also had 19 hits on the day as both teams would combine for an astonishing 40 hits. For the 2nd day in a row, the victor also would tally 20 runs. Flipping the script from Saturday, Missoula would be the ones to hang on in the end by a score of 21-18. Surely many players had their hand in the win for Missoula in the huge day for the offense. But the star of the show proved to be rookie outfielder Adam Fogel. 

The native of Southern California wouldn't waste any time getting started, launching his first of 2 home runs on the day to right field to get the PaddleHeads rolling in a 5-run 2nd inning. Singles from Patrick Chung, and Kameron Willman also fanned the flames as the PaddleHeads would jump out to a 5-1 lead early. Willman was no slouch himself at the plate Sunday finishing 4-for-7 with a home run and 6 driven in. Chung would tally a pair of RBIs as well finishing 3-for-6. The Chukars offense however would have plenty to say in the bottom of the inning. 

Kyle Jenkins would get the wheels turning in what would be a massive bottom of the 2nd inning for Idaho Falls that saw 8 runs cross the plate. Jenkins would drive in the first run with a single in part of his 5-for-6 day at the plate. Brett Barerra would put on the finishing touches hitting his first of 2 long balls to make the score 9-5 at the end of the inning. Barerra knocked in 4 runs finishing 2-for-5 while Jenkins was 5-for-6 with 2 driven in. Missoula would regain the lead a few innings later. 

After RBI singles from Willman, and Alec Sanchez in the top of the 4th, Cameron Thomspon would send one to the wall in dead center field to bring in 2 more with a double to knot things up 9. Roberto Pena would then send the PaddleHeads back into the lead to score Thompson making the score 10-5. The Chukars however would have even more answers in their next 2 frames offensively. Thompson and Pena both had 3 hits in the contest with Thompson finishing 3-for-6 and Pena going 3-for-4. 

Barerra would kick off the bottom of the 4th with his second home run, knotting things up once more before Brandon Bohning gave the Chukars the lead back with a sacrifice fly. A 3-run home run off the bat of Bohning also punctuated a 6-run rally in the 6th as Idaho Falls would regain the lead at 17-14. Bohning would finish the day 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Thanks in large part to Fogel however, Missoula would hang with the attack of Idaho Falls and then some. 

Fogel would crank a double into right center to plate a pair in the 6th cutting the Idaho Falls lead to one. A 2-run single that slammed into the wall in left would put the PaddleHeads out in front for good, bringing Missoula's lead to 21-17. In total, Fogal would tally 8 RBIs to highlight a 4-for-6 day at the plate. In 4 games played this week, the Kentucky product would finish with a .533 average to go with 2 home runs, 4 doubles, and 10 driven in. 

The win for the PaddleHeads (4-2) gave them a series victory in their opening set of the season against the Chukars (2-4). Missoula will now be in search of more success on the road on their next stop opposite the Ogden Raptors (1-5). This will mark the 4th straight season these 2 teams have gotten together. However, the PaddleHeads have not appeared at Lindquist Field since August of 2021. The first of another 6-game slate is set for Tuesday night with a 6:30 first pitch. Catch every game on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com.