PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Rally in Ninth Lifts I.F. to Win

Published on August 13, 2008 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


The Idaho Falls Chukars came away with a 3-2 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers Tuesday night at Centene Stadium. The Voyagers took a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning, but the Chukars had the last laugh with two runs in the ninth inning.

The Chukars fell behind in the third when a trio of singles ended with Lee Fischer scoring a single run. A lead-off double in the fifth inning by Devery Van De Keere got things going for the Chukars. Garcia hit a single that inning to push Van De Keere across the plate and tie the game at 1-1. A pair of one-out singles in the bottom of the eighth inning put runners on the corners for Great Falls. Kyle Shelton then laid down a squeeze bunt and Mike Grace slapped home plate just before Sean McCauley applied the tag. Van De Keere again got the offense going in the ninth, but this time it was an error that put him aboard to start the inning. Jimenez came in as a pinch runner and was moved to second by a Tito Espinosa sacrifice bunt. Carlo Testa tied the game at 2-2 with a high fly ball that landed at the base of the wall in left center. With two outs Alwin Perez hit a single up the middle to score Testa and give the Chukars the lead at 3-2.

Pitching clearly dominated all night at Centene Stadium. The Chukars' hitters finished with a total of seventeen strikeouts, but, again, made things happen when they needed to. Neither starter earned a decision, but both had similarly strong nights. Ivor Hodgson and Dexter Carter both went five innings, walked one batter, and allowed one run. Carter gave up less hits (2 to 4) and had more strikeouts (9 to 3). Enrique Lechuga and Daniel Albritton combined to toss four innings without giving up an earned run for the Voyagers, but two unearned runs on Albritton in the ninth gave him his first loss of the season. Gary Novakowski left the game after not allowing a run in two and a third innings, but left a runner at third that came home while James Thompson was on the mound. Thomas improved to 3-2 after giving up no hits in one and two third innings.

The Chukars and Voyagers meet for the final time at Centene Stadium Wednesday at 7:00. The game can be heard on 980 AM, 103.7 FM, and at www.ifchukars.com.

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Pioneer League Stories from August 13, 2008


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