Schultz Turns In Dominant Effort In Game 1 Win Over Chukars

MISSOULA, MT- The Missoula PaddleHeads returned home after a 6 game road trip on Friday night opening a 3 game series at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars. The PaddleHeads would leave nothing to doubt in road action opposite these same Chukars to start the week in a 3 game sweep on the road. The PaddleHeads outscored the Chukars 32-14 over the 3 games played earlier this week at Melaleuca Field. A prolific offense coupled with dominant starting pitching laid the groundwork for Missoula on the road. To the joy of many fans in the Garden City, this trend would also continue in action in Missoula. 

The PaddleHeads would immediately jump on Idaho Falls behind a first inning rally that saw Missoula grab control early. This early spurt would prove to be more than enough for starter Connor Schultz who would make his way through 7 innings of work. Every PaddleHead in the order would tally at least one hit in the contest. Furthermore, 7 batters in the order would finish with at least 2 hits on the night. When it was all said, and done Missoula would finish the night with 22 hits. Idaho Falls would be held off the board on the opposite side until the 7th inning in a 15-1 win for Missoula. 

The PaddleHeads took control in the first inning behind a 5-run rally that saw the PaddleHeads take a 5-0 lead. RBI singles from Austin Bernard, Thomas DeBonville,  Keaton Greenwalt, and Luis Navarro would do most of the heavy lifting as Missoula set the tone for the game immediately. It would be a huge night for Navarro in his home debut as a PaddleHead finishing 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and 2 runs scored. Greenwalt would also have an outstanding night finishing 3-for-5 and Bernard was 2-for-4. 

Schultz tied up the Chukars offense over 7 innings of work in one of his best outings as a professional. The former Iowa Hawkee would allow only 1 run on 3 hits over those frames while striking out a season high 8 batters to earn the win. Missoula's starters have allowed only 1 run over their last 14 innings pitched. 

The PaddleHeads relentless offensive attack would put the game completely out of reach in their final 3 frames at the dish scoring 8 runs over those innings to stretch the lead out to doubt digits. Patrick Chung put an exclamation point on yet another fabulous night opposite his old club with a home run down the right field line in the 7th. Chung would finish the night 4-for-6 with 3 runs scored and an RBI. So far in 4 games this week opposite Idaho Falls, Chung holds a .619 batting average to go along with a home run, and 5 RBIs. 

A 5-run rally in the 8th would bring Missoula's offensive night to a close. McClain O'Conner would launch a solo shot as part of the rally. DeBonville would also strike in the inning knocking in a run with a sacrifice fly ahead of an RBI single by Jake Guenther. DeBonville knocked in 3 runs as part of a 2-for-4 effort and Guenter was 3-for-5. 

The PaddleHeads (22-6) will be in search of their 5th win in as many nights in game 2 from Missoula opposite the Chukars (11-17) on Saturday night. First pitch from Allegiance Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Catch all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.