Villa Strikes Out 12 In PaddleHeads Win Over Chukars

IDAHO FALLS, ID- The Missoula PaddleHeads squared off with the Idaho Falls Chukars for the first time this season in the opening game of a 3 game set at Melaleuca Field. Alfredo Villa took the ball for Missoula in the contest looking to continue what has been a solid season for the right-hander. The 1st year PaddleHead would have a night to remember finishing with the highest strikeout total of any Missoula starter this season. The offense would do more than enough to back up the effort from Villa in a 14-7 victory. 

The PaddleHeads would jump on the Chukars in the early going taking a 4-0 advantage in the 2nd inning. Idaho Falls would never lead at any point in the contest and never would trail by less than 2 from that point on. Idaho Falls would trail by as many as 12 runs in the contest. Villa would be firmly in control through 6 innings on the opposite side of the spectrum allowing Missoula to cruise to the win. In the process, the PaddleHeads also saw their lead grow to 6 games in the 1st half pennant standing in the Northern Division. 

Austin Bernard got the PaddleHeads rolling in the 2nd inning with a long home run into right that made the score 3-0 with one swing. It marked Bernard's 2nd consecutive at-bat with a home run going back to action on Sunday. McClain O'Conner would also double home a run as part of the rally that saw Missoula jump ahead 4-0. Bernard finished 2-for-4 in the win and O'Conner was 1-for-3. 

That rally would be all that Villa would need over 6 fabulous innings of work. The Arizona native would allow 2 runs over those innings while striking out a remarkable 12 batters. Villa would strike out at least 1 batter in every inning he was on the mound in the outing. It also marked the highest strikeout total of any pitcher on the PaddleHeads staff this season. Villa is also now tied with Kelvan Pilot of Missoula for the league lead in wins (4). 

The PaddleHeads attack would begin to stretch the lead out in the 6th, and 7th innings scoring 8 runs combined in those frames. Back-to-back home runs from Cameron Thompson, and Thomas DeBonville would get things started in the inning. Keaton Greenwalt would also strike in the frame knocking in a run with a double to make the score 9-2. DeBonville would enjoy a fabulous night in his return to Idaho Falls scoring 4 runs while finishing 2-for-3. Greenwalt would chip in finishing 2-for-5 while Thompson was 1-for-5. 

A 5-run rally in the 7th saw Missoula's lead balloon to their largest margin of the night. DeBonville would give Missoula an 8 run lead with an RBI single to get things started. Jake Guenter would also knock in a pair with a single of his own to score  Patrick Chung, and O'Conner to give Missoula a 14-2 advantage. Chung enjoyed a strong performance finishing 3-for-6 in the win. The former Chukar is currently 2nd in the Pioneer League in batting average (.442). 

The PaddleHeads (19-6) saw their lead grow to 6 games over the 2nd place Glacier Range Riders (12-11)  in the Pioneer League North Standings. Missoula will now look to clinch a series win in game 2 opposite the Chukars (11-14) on Wednesday night. First pitch from Melaleuca Field is set for 7:05 p.m. Stay in touch with all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.