Offense Sets The Tone Early in Game 1 Victory Over Chukars

IDAHO FALLS, ID - The Missoula PaddleHeads squared off with the Idaho Falls Chukars for the first time this season on Tuesday night at Melaleuca Field. This series opened an important stretch for both teams as Missoula will face off with Idaho Falls in 6 of their next 9 games. Thanks to a balanced offensive attack, the PaddleHeads would set the tone in game 1. 

Missoula jumped out to a five run advantage in the second inning thanks to a 5 run rally to give the PaddleHeads confidence early. The Chukars would cut the deficit to 3 with a rally of their own in the seventh, but never would threaten further in a 13-8 victory for the PaddleHeads. 

Brandon Riley immediately got Missoula off on the right foot in the first inning hitting a double into left center to lead off the ballgame. He would later score on a single from second baseman Kamron Wilman. Both would contribute offensively more as the night would progress with Riley having a hand in a big rally in the next frame. 

The North Carolina native would single home run after an RBI double from Kevin Whatley to highlight a 5-run rally in the second that made the score 6-1. Jayson Newman also did damage in the frame with a 2 run single to give Missoula a 5 run lead. Riley finished with his first 3 hit game of the season going 3-for-5 while Whatley was 2-for-5 and Newman was 1-for-5. 

Lamar Sparks would keep the offense going in the fifth inning hitting a 2-run blast that knocked in Nick Gatewood to make the score 8-1. The Texas native would also knock in a run with a double to left center in the ninth to wind out the scoring for the PaddleHeads. Sparks would finish the night 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs. 

Matt Feinstein provided the lone spark offensively for the Chukars in the early going with a pair of long home runs to center field. Feinstein was 3-for-4 with 3 runs, and 2 RBIs in the loss. After being held mostly in check for the first 6 innings, the rest of the Chukar attack would come alive in the seventh. 

An inning that was highlighted by 4 doubles would see Idaho Falls close the gap to 10-7 coming down the stretch in the final two innings. Idaho Falls would tally 6 hits, and 4 runs  in the frame in total. The Chukars would never mount a threat after that point however as Missoula would hold the lead the rest of the way. 

Sam Hellinger was outstanding out of the bullpen in bringing a stop to the Chukars offensive momentum in 1 ⅓ innings striking out a pair. The outing helped preserve a win for starter Rafael Monsion who allowed 3 runs over 6 innings to earn his second win of the season. 

Missoula (15-9) moved into second place in the First Half Northern Division Standings with the victory and sit just one game behind the Chukars (16-8) in the race for the top spot in the North. The PaddleHeads will look to keep the momentum going in game 2 of the series Wednesday night. First pitch from Melaleuca Field is set for 7:05 p.m.  Catch every pitch of the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9.