PaddleHeads Sweep Twin Bill Behind Offensive Outburst

IDAHO FALLS, ID - After rain, and cold brought the Pioneer League season to a halt Wednesday, the Missoula PaddleHeads would get things back into gear opposite the Idaho Falls Chukars Thursday. The twin bill from Melaleuca Field began with Missoula in search of their first victory of 2024. Behind a big offensive night in both contests, Missoula would do just that. 

A third inning rally of game 1 set the tone for the PaddleHeads with starter Connor Schultz also delivering a great outing in a 7-inning complete game. The offense would just keep on coming throughout game 1 to back the effort of the former Hawkee in a 16-2 drubbing. Game 2 featured an early burst from Idaho Falls as the Chukars led by 4 runs in the early going. Missoula would never let the lead get away however and would fight back in the late innings to pull off a come from behind 10-8 victory. This gave Missoula the sweep of the double header and an advantage in this six game slate on the road. 

Seven consecutive base hits fueled the fire in the 3rd inning of game 1 leading to a 7 run rally for the PaddleHeads. Doubles from Kamron Willman, and Patrick Chung to bring home runs would get things rolling in earnest. RBI singles would then follow from Colin Gordon, Mike Rosario, and Adam Fogel as Missoula would see its lead grow to 9-0. 

The PaddleHeads would tally 16 hits in game 1 with 5 players finishing with at least 2 hits. Willman, and Gordon would highlight this group with both infielders tallying 3 hits. Gordon would finish 3-for-5 on the night while Willaman was 3-for-4 with 3 driven in. This offensive production was more than sufficient for Schultz. 

The 3rd year professional picked up right where he left off from last season in the Pioneer in 7 fabulous innings. Schultz would retire the first 7 batters he faced in the outing and would allow just 2 runs over the course of the contest. Schultz would not issue a single walk while striking out 8 in the game 1 win. Missoula was forced to come from behind in game 2 however in a contest that had a different feel from the start. 

The Chukars sent all nine batters to the dish in the bottom of the 1st in game 2 tallying 4 runs as a result. A triple off the bat of Chris Monroe would be the highlight of the frame as Idaho Falls jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage. Zaid Walker, and Chaig Corliss would also knock in runs with singles as part of the rally. Walker, and Monroe would both finish 2-for-4 with Corliss finishing 1-for-2. The lead for Idaho Falls would never get larger from this point as Missoula stayed within striking distance.

The PaddleHeads would get on the comeback trail in the 4th scoring a pair to cut the deficit to that margin. Reece Yeargain would drive home the first run on a sacrifice fly before rookie outfielder Mike Rosario would send home Roberto Pena with a single of his own making the score 6-4. Yeargain and Pena both were 1-for-3 on the night with Rosario finishing 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs in game 2. The inning it all came together however proved to be the 6th. 

After 2 quick outs started the top of the 6th, the Chukars would creek open the door issuing a walk, and hit batter to the next 2 hitters. Missoula would take advantage. Patrick Chung would kick things off with a triple into the left center field gap to score both baserunners cutting the deficit to 7-6. In a pinch hit spot, rookie Alex Sanchez came up with a huge swing with a game tying single to right field to knot things up at 7. Missoula would have one more trick up their sleeve in the frame to take their first lead of the game. 

Tyler Johnson would step into the box looking for his first hit of the night in the 6th in the tie contest. The Coastal Carolina product did that and then some in the situation, launching one well over the wall in left center to give Missoula their first lead at 9-7. The PaddleHeads would outscore Idaho Falls 8-1 from the 4th to the 7th and would hang on over the final 2 frames to claim the sweep of the double header. 

Missoula (2-1) will look to ensure at worst a series split with Idaho Falls (1-2) on Friday night in game 4 of the 6 game set. Action from Melaleuca Field will get kicked off with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Catch every moment on ESPN Radio Missoula 102.9 F.M. and 1029espn.com