Colorado’s Grand Junction. At Grand Junction’s Suplizio Field on Wednesday, the Idaho Falls Chukars won their seventh straight game, solidifying their position as Colorado’s dominant team.
The Chukars (21-10) relied on Gary Grosjean, who delivered seven solid innings to help them defeat the Jackalopes (12-19) 14-4, as they have done in each of their ace’s starts.
Grosjean (W, 7-0), who now has the victory in each of his seven games, boosted his league-high win total. In his most recent brilliance, the right-hander struck out eight batters while limiting Grand Junction to seven hits and four runs.
The outstanding start was maintained by Austyn Coleman, who recorded the final six outs.
The long ball played a major role in the Idaho Falls offense, as it has for the majority of the season. On Wednesday, the Chukars added four more home runs to their league-high total of 61. The only other team with more than 46 team home runs is the Missoula PaddleHeads, who come in second with 56.
This time, the winners were Thomas McCaffrey (4), Chase Hanson (1), Jacob Shanks (6), and Spencer Rich (10).
Rich added game-highs in hits (4), RBIs (4), and runs scored (3). He is tied for the fourth-highest home run total in the Pioneer Baseball league, with Roberto Pena of Missoula leading with 17.
The Chukars responded with a six-run second inning following a Jackalopes run at the bottom of the first. Idaho Falls took control of the game and rode it to the end with five more in the second half.
On Thursday, they’ll try to get to 8-0 in Grand Junction. At 6:35 p.m., the first pitch is scheduled.
Present PBL rankings1. PaddleHeads of Missoula (22–9)2. The 22-10 Oakland Ballers3. Chukars of Idaho Falls (21–10)4. The Spirit of the Rocky Mountains (20–10)5. High Wheelers by Yuba-Sutter (20-11)6. Hawks of Boise (20-12)7. Raptors of Ogden (17–15)8. Mustangs from Billings (13–18)9. Jackalopes of Grand Junction (12–19)10. Riders of the Glacier Range (12–20)11. Owlz of Northern Colorado (5-26)12. Voyagers of the Great Falls (4-28)
