PL Idaho Falls Chukars

Smith Shuts Down Owlz in Chukars Win

Published on June 20, 2012 under Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release


A day after a slugfest Opening Night contest, the Chukars bats kept rolling and Orems' fell silent as Idaho Falls pitcher Kyle Smith struck out 11 Owlz in the Chukars 11-4 win at Melaleuca Field.

Smith dominated making his pro debut, only allowing one run on three hits over five innings. He shut down an Orem lineup that scored 14 runs on 14 hits the night before.

The 19-year-old hurler received plenty of support from his offense, as the Chukars bats knocked around 17 hits while scoring their 11 runs. Left-fielder Julio Aparicio led the attack going 4-5 with a double and two RBI.

The game started off as a pitcher's duel, with Orem starter Yancarlos Santiago blanking Idaho Falls through the first two innings. The Chukars exploded in the 5th however, scoring five runs on seven hits to go up 5-0. Center fielder Ethan Chapman led off the inning with an infield single which started a string of seven consecutive hits including knocks from Carlos Garcia, Jack Lopez, Adalberto Mondesi, Elier Hernandez, Nick Cuckovich and Aparicio.

The Owlz got on the board with a single run in the top of the fourth, but the Chukars responded with a run of their own as Garcia reached on an infield single, stole second and came in to score on a Mondesi RBI base hit.

Idaho Falls kept their foot on the gas for the next three innings, scoring twice in the 5th, once in the 6th and two more times in the 7th to extend their lead to 11-1. Aparicio and Chapman had the RBIs in the 5th, Aparicio doubled in the lone run of the 6th while Chapman and Elier Hernandez each had an RBI in the 7th.

Orem would score three runs in the top of the ninth before Chase Hentges closed out the win. In addition to Aparicio's big night, four other Chukars had a multi-hit game including Mondesi (3-5), Cuckovich (2-5), Chapman (2-5) and Garcia (3-3).

Smith (1-0) earned the win for Idaho Falls with Zeb Sneed and David Middendorf also pitching. Santigago (0-1) took the loss for the Owlz after lasting 3.2 innings and allowing six runs on 10 hits.

With the win the Chukars improve to 2-0 while Orem drops to 0-2. The Chukars go for the sweep of the Owls Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 at Melaleuca Field.

Check out the Idaho Falls Chukars Statistics

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Pioneer League Stories from June 20, 2012


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