Colorado’s Grand Junction. At Suplizio Field on Friday night, the Idaho Falls Chukars defeated the Jackalopes for the fourth consecutive game and the ninth in a row.
The Chukars (23-10) defeated the Jackalopes (12-21) 16-3 thanks to a strong start from Nathan Hemmerling and a five-RBI effort from Spencer Rich.
Rich (11) and Simon Baumgardt (10) hit home runs in the first inning to give Idaho Falls an early lead. Hemmerling (W, 4-0), who limited Grand Junction to five hits and two runs in his six innings pitched, had more than enough backing from that.
The Chukars continued, however.
In the fourth, Rich added a two-run single to his three-run homer. However, the Jackalopes’ pitching staff’s wheels came off in the seventh inning.
The Chukars scored another six runs in the seventh inning after two Grand Junction pitchers gave up seven free passes, five walks, and two bit batters.
Rich had a game-high five RBIs at the end. A game-high four hits were delivered by Thomas McCaffrey.
Saturday’s doubleheader between the Chukars and Jackalopes includes a makeup game due to a weather postponement earlier this month. The first game is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Present PBL rankings1. PaddleHeads of Missoula (25-9)2. The 24-10 Oakland Ballers3. Chukars of Idaho Falls (23–10)4. High Wheelers by Yuba-Sutter (22-11)5. Feelings of a Rocky Mountain (20-12)6. Hawks of Boise (20-14)7. Raptors of Ogden (19–15)8. Mustangs from Billings (13-21)9. Jackalopes of Grand Junction (12–21)10. Riders of the Glacier Range (12–22)11. Voyagers of the Great Falls (6-28)12. Owlz of Northern Colorado (5-28)
