Late Inning Surge Leads Missoula To Win Over Idaho Falls

MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads played host to the Idaho Falls Chukars in the first game of a 3 game set on Tuesday night at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. The visitors would find some offensive production in the early innings which led to an early advantage. The Chukars would also hold the PaddleHeads offense in check through 5 innings allowing Idaho Falls to stay in front. The Missoula offense would begin to see their fortunes turn however in the bottom of the 6th. Once the offense got rolling, there would be no stopping it on this night. 

The Paddleheads would race to a sizable advantage in innings 6 through 8 scoring 8 unanswered runs to claim a 7-run advantage. The bullpen would also back the effort of starter Nick Parker down the stretch as only 1 run would cross the plate over the final 4 innings of regulation. The end result would be a 10-4 victory for Missoula as the PaddleHeads claimed their 7th consecutive victory on the homestand. 

Designated Hitter Chris Monroe would be the first to strike in the early going for Idaho Falls hitting a home run off the scoreboard in left center to give the Chukars an early 1-0 advantage. The 3rd year professional would finish the night 2-for-4. The lead would prove to be short lived as the PaddleHeads would show off power of their own in the bottom of the inning. 

Colin Gordon would hit a towering 2-run home run down the right field line with 2-outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning making the score 2-1. Gordon would be a menace offensively throughout knocking in 5 runs as part of a 3-for-5 performance. This would be all offensively for Missoula for a chunk of time. Idaho Falls would find themselves out in front once more in the 3rd. 

Brett Berera would knock in a run with a single as part of a 2-run rally in the 3rd inning that saw the Chukars claim a 3-2 lead. Idaho Falls would not find the scoreboard again however until the 9th inning as Parker would keep Idaho Falls in check.  

The former Virginia Cavalier would strike out 11 batters over 5 innings of work allowing 3 runs. The 11 punchouts were the most from a PaddleHeads starting pitcher on the season. Reese Fields, Mark Timmins, and Ethan Swanson would all pitch scoreless frames in the bullpen as well as the Chukar offense went quiet. The PaddleHeads attack would get it rolling down the stretch to pull away. 

A 2-run rally in the 6th would give Missoula a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way. A solo home run from Alec Sanchez immediately jump started the offense to tie the game at 3. Gordon would later give Missoula the lead in the frame with an RBI single to left. A sizable rally in the next inning would put the game away for good. 

Doubles from Roberto Pena, Gordon, and Collin Runge would fan the flames of a 4-run rally. Mike Rosario would also knock in a run with an RBI single in the inning. Pena, and Rosario both had big offensive nights in the win, finishing 3-for-4. Runge also chipped in with a 2-for-4 effort. The duo of Runge, and Rosario would also provide a spark offensively in the 8th in a pair of RBI at-bats as Missoula's run total reached 10 runs. 

The PaddleHeads (16-3) remained 2 games clear of their closest competition in the Pioneer League standings Tuesday in their win over Idaho Falls (5-14). Game 2 of this 3 game slate comes to Missoula Wednesday night in another 'Wolf Wednesday' at the ballpark at Allegiance Field. First pitch is slated for 7:15 p.m. Hear all the action on 1029espn.com and ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.