Washington Wins Knockout Round to Cap Wild Week

The Second Half of the PBL season continues to amaze, with a fifth Knockout Round of the week closing out a thriller in Idaho Falls. This one was a game of momentum, with the Chukars jumping out to an early 3-1 lead before conceding 10 unanswered – and then responding with ten of their own. Grand Junction hit back with six to take a 17-13 lead before Michael Kohn hit a three-run home run and Hunter Hudson tied the game with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth. Ron Washington Jr. dominated the Knockout Round for Grand Junction, hitting five out of the yard and leaving no doubt about the Jackalopes' win in the end. Joe Johnson, Jaylen Hubbard, and Jacob Cruce (2) had the four dingers for the visitors in regulation with Austin Shumaker adding four hits. C.J. Dunn, who fell short for the hosts at the hands of Washington, had a solid four-hit day. Trevor Halsema tripled and had five RBIs for the Chukars, who lost four of their six this week at home. 

Missoula 10, Ogden 2: PaddleHeads Punish Errors Late for Series Win 

The two First Half champions played a nailbiter for most of the day on Sunday, with Jacob Kline's single resulting in the only run through the first six innings. Nick Ultsch and Cam Phelts turned the tide and put Ogden on top, but their good fortunes wouldn't last in the bottom of the seventh. An error helped the tying run score for Missoula, who poured it on and would score eight more, seven coming with two outs, aided by an outfield error and a passed ball. They only needed one extra-base hit in the form of a Thomas DeBonville double. The hosts were complemented by a strong start from Izzy Fuentes and a hitless bullpen appearance from Cody Thompson to clinch the series win. 

Rocky Mountain 7, Northern Colorado 5: Vibes Fend off Owlz Comeback 

Austin Elder drove in a run early and Ethan Lopez homered in three more to give the hosts a 4-0 lead after three, but the Owlz refused to give in. Josh Glenn got the rally started and NoCo owned the middle innings, led by a Jackson Coutts blast and a three-run seventh to take a 5-4 lead. The Vibes wouldn't be denied though as Dusty Stroup grabbed the lead back with a two-run shot and Jacob Barfield added another in the bottom half of the inning. Rocky Mountain's bullpen finished the job and closed out a strong first week of the Second Half. 

Glacier 14, Billings 9: Glacier Plates Nine in First Inning, Coasts to Win 

Crews Taylor accomplished the rare feat of homering twice in the same inning, leading a nine-run charge from the Range Riders in the top of the first. His solo leadoff shot got the action started, and finished the job with a grand slam when the order came back around. While the Mustangs were still productive offensively with 12 hits and two jacks from Alejandro Figueredo, they couldn't close the gap after Benjamin Fitzgerald's three-run homer put the game out of reach. The two sides split this six-game set. 

Great Falls 9, Boise 5: Early Barrage Enough for Voyagers 

Great Falls got after Brayden Spears and Noah McBride early as they took their fifth game from the Hawks in the six-game set. Billy Hancock and Xane Washington helped their side score seven in the first three frames. Boise battled back as Luke Malone settled things down out of the bullpen and the offense led by Alex Baeza cut the deficit to two, but the Hawks were sat down again in the final three innings. The Great Falls lineup featured some productive performances, including a 4-5 day for Anthony Herron Jr. and four walks drawn by Giovanni DiGiacomo, bringing his total to eight after being signed this past week. Sean Skelly also added a home run for Boise.