Vibes Best Jackalopes’ Single-Game Run Mark, Sweep Reigning Champs

A dramatic 25-run offensive output from the Vibes was enough for the highest tally for a team in a single game this season, besting the 23 that the Jackalopes put up on June 10, and making it 54 total for the weekend series. This one started out all Grand Junction, as the defending champs led 9-1 after two. A seven-run third from Rocky Mountain made it a ballgame, and the sides continued to trade blows in the middle innings. Leading 13-12 in an affair primed for late fireworks, the Vibes exploded again for eight runs in the eighth and four in the ninth, leaving no doubt that they would take their sixth victory in the last seven. They were led by the superb Dusty Stroup, with a double and two blasts helping him to 7 RBI. Casey Peterson also left the yard in addition to walking four times. Brett Carson was 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Steve Barmakian drove in three. For the Jacks, Ron Washington Jr. and Jaylen Hubbard homered while three others contributed two RBIs. The Vibes remain in the South division cellar at 14-20 but have closed the gap significantly this week, just behind the 15-21 Jackalopes. 

Ogden 14, Idaho Falls 13: Melaleuca Madness as Raptors Strengthen Grip on South 

On a night of twists and turns in Idaho Falls, Ogden battled like they have all season and made it seven victories in their last eight. Logan Williams doubled to open the scoring, continuing his historic week of production, but the Chukars responded well in the first to take a 2-1 lead. The Raptors punched right back, tallying five in the second with yet another Williams grand slam. Former PBL Draft picks Nick Ultsch and Reese Alexiades piled on with doubles in the third to stretch it to 8-2, but the Chukars battled yet again. They tallied one in the third and four and the fourth, featuring a Trevor Halsema double that scored two. Alexiades went yard two frames later to make it 9-7 before the hosts landed what they thought was a knockout blow with a six-spot in the sixth. Anthony Frechette and Bryce Brown both contributed two-RBI singles. However, the South's leaders had the last laugh. Relievers Marshall Shill, Adam Scoggins, and Dan Kubiuk did not give up a hit the rest of the way, leaving the door open for the Raptor bats, who came through with flying colors. A busy eighth inning saw Cam Phelts score the tying run on a wild pitch and Bryce Brown lay out for a grab in center field to set up a tie ballgame in the ninth. Brutally for the Chukars, it was another wild pitch that relinquished the lead back to Ogden, scoring Sal Gozzo and giving us the final score of 14-13. The Raptors improve to 23-12, with the Chukars falling to 13-23. 

Billings 8, Northern Colorado 5: Bats Wake Up Late, Billings Takes Series 

Through five innings, Mustangs starter Jalen Evans and Owlz starter Austin Schneider kept Sunday's decider scoreless. Brady West changed that with a two-run triple off Schneider in the sixth, scoring himself on a wild pitch shortly after, forcing NoCo into their bullpen. Dave Matthews answered with a solo home run, but a grand slam from John Michael Faile highlighted a five-run seventh to strengthen the Mustangs' insurance. The Owlz attempted a rally with blasts from Henry George and Jordan Rathbone, but Tyler Statler earned the save and closed out the series win. Billings climbs to 17-19, with NoCo falling back below .500 at 17-18. 

Missoula 7, Glacier 1: PaddleHeads Pitching Cools Glacier Bats 

After two high-scoring affairs, Missoula was able to silence the Range Rider offense to take the weekend series and stretch their advantage in the North. Gabe Howell opened the scoring in the top of the first on a wild pitch, but PaddleHeads starter Kelvan Pilot settled down to go seven innings strong, giving up three hits and keeping Glacier off the scoresheet the rest of the way. Austin Dill finished the job with a solid two-inning outing. Missoula's McClain O'Connor was yet again the spearhead of their offense, tripling twice and opening their scoring with a sacrifice fly, driving in three total. Cameron Thompson contributed a 4-for-5 day at the plate. The PaddleHeads are now 27-9, 6 games in front of the 20-14 Range Riders. 

Boise 6, Great Falls 3: Baeza, Spears Key for Hawks 

In front of a stellar Boise crowd on Fireworks Night, the hometown Hawks pulled out a gritty win over Great Falls. Alex Baeza singled in the fourth to give his side the lead, part of a stellar four-RBI day that featured a home run two frames later. Starter Brayden Spears tossed six scoreless innings, before losing command and plunking two Voyagers batters to begin the seventh, where he exited. Both batters were brought home to make it a 4-2 game until a Baeza single and a Tyler Jorgenson double stretched it to 6-2. Great Falls made it interesting late, with Eddie McCabe driving home a run and bringing the tying run to the plate. Dilan Espinal took off for second, but Sam Olsson cut him down with a brilliant throw for the crucial second out, and Casey Dykstra held on to the Hawks lead. The hosts take two out of three and improve to 20-16, with Great Falls slipping to 10-24.