10-Run 6th Inning Leads PaddleHeads Past Chukars

IDAHO FALLS, ID- The Missoula PaddleHeads offense was relatively quiet through the first 5 innings of Game 2 of a 3 game set opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars. After taking a lead in the early innings, Idaho Falls would battle back to knot things up at 2 runs apiece in the 3rd. Entering the 6th, the PaddleHeads offense had been held off the board in the previous 3 innings. To say things would turn around for the Missoula attack in the top of the 6th would be an understatement. 

By the time the top of the 6th inning was brought to a close, the PaddleHeads had sent 12 batters to the plate fueling the flames of a huge rally. Furthermore, Missoula would tally 6 hits in the frame scoring an astounding 10 runs in the inning. This run total was a new season high for Missoula in one inning. The PaddleHeads would go on to cruise the rest of the way in a 14-7 victory. Missoula has scored 28 runs over the first 2 games of the series and will have a chance for their first road sweep of the season in the series finale from Melaleuca Field Thursday. 

Missoula took an early 2-0 lead by tacking on runs in each of the first 2 innings. Jared Akins brought home Patrick Chung with a double in the first to get the PaddleHeads off & running. Dondrei Hubbard would then strike in the next half inning with his first home run in a PaddleHeads uniform to make the score 2-0. It was a night to remember for Hubbard who would go on to finish 3-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. 

The Chukars would knot things up in the 3rd inning behind a 2-run rally. Former PaddleHead Sam Troyer knocked in a run with a single in the frame to get Idaho Falls on the board. Troyer would later score on an RBI groundout in the inning to tie things up at 3 runs apiece. However, Missoula would never allow the Chukars to grab the lead at any point in the game. Idaho Falls also would not be able to hold the Missoula offense at bay seeing the game get out of hand in the 6th inning. 

Chung gave Missoula the lead back in the 6th with a 2-run single to right field that made the score 4-2. Later with the bases loaded, Keaton Greenwalt delivered the biggest blow of the 6th on a bases clearing triple which put the PaddleHeads up 7-2. After an RBI single from Cameron Thompson, Thomas DeBonville put the finishing touches on the frame with a 2-run home run that made the score 12-2. 

DeBonville, and Thompson both finished the night 1-for-5 and Greenwalt was 1-for-4. Chung was a thorn in the side of his old club for the 2nd night in a row from the top of the order finishing 3-for-6 with 2 RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Chung has recorded 3 hits in each of the first 2 games of the series against the Chukars. The 2nd year PaddleHead is also currently 2nd in the league in batting average (.446). 

Kelvan Pilot would work effectively through 6 innings earning the win for Missoula in the process. The California native would strike out 7 over those frames to move his record on the mound to 5-0 on the season. Pilot now leads all pitchers in the league in wins and is 4th in the league amongst all pitchers in strikeouts (30). 

The PaddleHeads (20-6) remained 6 games clear of the Range Riders in the 1st half standings in the Northern Division with the win Wednesday night. Missoula will now look for their 1st road sweep of the season Thursday in the series finale opposite the Chukars (11-15). First pitch from Melaleuca Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.