Chukars Roll Past Missoula 22-6 to Advance to Championship Series

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Idaho Falls Chukars left no doubt on Sunday afternoon, exploding for 20 hits and a franchise playoff-record 22 runs in a 22-6 victory over the Missoula PaddleHeads at Ogren Park to advance to the Championship Series of the Pioneer Baseball League Playoffs presented by RedPocket.

Idaho Falls struck early and often, scoring four runs in the second inning, capped by Eddie Pelc's three-run homer to right. The Chukars extended their lead in the fourth when Jacob Jablonski launched a two-run shot and Spencer Rich followed with a solo homer to make it 10-0.

The Chukars put the game away with a nine-run seventh inning. Anthony Mata doubled home a run, Ben Rosengard added an RBI single, and Simon Baumgardt delivered the knockout blow with a grand slam. Garret Ostrander's sacrifice fly later in the inning pushed the lead to 19-0.

Pelc finished with two hits, three RBI, and three runs scored, while Mata went 4-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored. Rosengard collected five hits, and Ostrander drove in three runs on three hits.

On the mound, Shane Spencer was dominant, tossing seven innings of two-run ball while striking out eight.

Missoula's offense broke through late, getting homers from Roberto Pena and Colin Gordon in the seventh and a three-run shot from Evan Sleight in the ninth. Pena finished with three hits and two RBI to lead the PaddleHeads.

With the win, Idaho Falls clinches the series, 2-1, and will face the Oakland Ballers in the Championship Series of the Pioneer Baseball League Playoffs presented by RedPocket starting Tuesday night September 16th at Melaleuca Field. Watch the Championship Series on FloBaseball.tv.