Chukars Rally Past PaddleHeads, 6-4, to Take Game One

MISSOULA, Mont. – After a rain delay pushed the series opener into Friday, the Idaho Falls Chukars stormed back in the sixth inning from a four-run deficit to take the Missoula PaddleHeads, 6-4, in Game One of the Pioneer Baseball League Semifinals presented by RedPocket at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park. With the victory, Idaho Falls grabs a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Missoula looked sharp early, striking first in the second inning on a two-run single from catcher Carlos Perez. They added another run in the third when DH Colin Gordon doubled to right-center and scored outfielder Adam Fogel, and Perez added to the lead with a solo homer in the fourth.

Chukars starter Gary Grosjean battled early, striking out three straight to end the first and keeping the damage limited until Missoula broke through in the second. Idaho Falls turned to the bullpen early, and the relief held the PaddleHeads scoreless over the final five innings.

The PaddleHeads built a 4-0 advantage through four innings behind solid pitching from Alfredo Villa, who struck out five in relief of starter Matthew Sox who began the game the day prior pitching the rain delayed first inning.

Idaho Falls' offense woke up in the sixth. After a solo homer from Trevor Rogers put the Chukars on the board, the next three batters reached to load the bases. Garret Ostrander's grounder resulted in an error that allowed two runs to score, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Grady Morgan tied the game with an RBI groundout, and Anthony Mata reached on another error to bring in the go-ahead run.

The Chukars added an insurance run in the ninth when Rogers reached on an error, advanced to third, and scored on a throwing miscue in right field.

Missoula threatened in the bottom of the ninth, putting runners on the corners with no outs, but reliever Nicolo Pinazzi worked out of the jam with three straight strikeouts to strand the tying run at the plate.

With the win, Idaho Falls takes a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to close it out in Game Two on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. MDT in Missoula and can be watched on FloBaseball.tv.