PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Chukars Comeback Against Owlz, win 8-7 in 10 Innings

Published on August 5, 2011 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


The Idaho Falls Chukars may not have erased all the painful defeats they've suffered at the hands of the Orem Owlz Thursday night, but that didn't make the come from behind victory any less sweet as the Chukars wiped out a six run, eighth inning deficit to win 8-7 in 10 innings.

The Chukars, who came into the game 1-8 against the Owlz this season, started the eighth inning down 7-1 and hadn't even picked up a hit since the fourth. Right Fielder Chris Elder kicked off the rally with a leadoff single, followed by a walk to shortstop Michael Liberto and a single by center fielder Darian Sandford to load the bases with nobody out for center fielder Tyler Chism.

Chism would respond with a 2-RBI double to dead center field, followed by an RBI single by second baseman Luis Piterson and an RBI groundout from designated hitter Daniel Mateo to cut the deficit to 7-5. The Chukars would actually go on to load the bases again in the inning, but could not pick up another run.

After the Ghosts went down quietly in the bottom of the eighth, Idaho Falls started off the ninth with Elder reaching on a fielding error by Owlz shortstop Trevor Hairgrove. That would prove to be a costly mistake, as two outs later Chism would belt a two-out, 2-run home run over the right field wall to complete the comeback and tie the game at 7-7.

With the momentum clearly on their side, Chukars reliever Robert Penny retired Orem in order in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

The hit parade would continue for the Chukars in the 10th as Mateo started off the frame with a double and was pinch run for by Runey Davis. With Davis at second, first baseman Henry Moreno roped a single to right field that was too hard hit to score a run, but put Chukars at the corners with nobody out.

Following a fielder's choice groundout by third baseman Mark Threlkeld that put him at first base, catcher Edul Escobar would step to the plate and lay down a safety squeeze bunt up the first base line to score Davis and put the Chukars up 8-7. The Chukars would actually load the bases again in the 10th but come away with just the one run after Threlkeld was thrown out at home.

Reliever Cody Fassold would retire the middle of the Orem order in the bottom of the 10th to close out the win and pick up his second save of the season.

Penny (2-4) was credited with the win for the Chukars after throwing 2.1 shutout innings in relief, while Suamme Baez earned the loss for the Olwz after retiring just one batter and allowing the winning run in the tenth.

Offensively, Chism finished with a huge night going 4-5 with his team leading sixth homer of the season, two doubles and five total RBI.

With the win the Chukars (2-3) snap their three game losing streak and beat the Owlz (3-2) for just the second time in 10 games this season. The Chukars will now head to Casper for a four-game series against the Ghosts starting Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from August 5, 2011


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