State of the Chukars: August 15, 2022
August 15, 2022 - Pioneer League (PL)
Idaho Falls Chukars News Release
IDAHO FALLS, ID - With another series in the books in the 2022 Pioneer Baseball League season, catch up on some of the latest stories surrounding the Idaho Falls Chukars on the baseball diamond.
A Tough Task
Facing off against the best pitching staff in the Pioneer League in the Billings Mustangs, the Chukars fell in the series at Melaleuca Field 2-4. It was good baseball as both teams and managers duked it out in the six game set. Idaho Falls won games two and three in dramatic fashion. In game two in the seventh, up 3-2 Billings loaded the bases up on the Chukars. Keagan McGinnis emerged from the bullpen and nearly tossed an immaculate inning, striking out the side with the bases loaded. McGinnis provided the Chukars the momentum they needed as Idaho Falls plated four in the seventh to pull away in the 7-3 win.
Game three provided more drama as the Chukars were down 5-4 going into the bottom of the seventh. Dusty Stroup crushed a leadoff home run to tie it up, his team leading 17th homer of the season. In the eighth, Idaho Falls put two runners on base which brought Jose Reyes to the dish. Reyes came through in the clutch and delivered the go-ahead swing on a two-run single to give the Chukars a 7-5 lead. Jon Nunnally Jr tossed a shutdown ninth, striking out the Billings side in order to secure the win.
Afterwards, the Chukars lost the last three games in the series. Yesterday, the Chukars struck out 20 Mustangs batters but lost 11-3. Idaho Falls will hope for better luck against the division leading Missoula Paddleheads in six games on the road.
The Arrival of Bohning
Before the start of the Billings series, the Chukars acquired Brandon Bohning from the Ogden Raptors in exchange for a player to be named later. The Simi Valley native provided solid defense out at second and short for the Chukars, and registered a hit in every game he played in the series. Bohning finished the series 6-17, with a double, and an RBI. Idaho Falls will look for his glove to stay consistent out in the field as they try to clean up the fielding errors that have plagued them this season.
Down To The Wire
After finishing the series against Billings, the Chukars are tied for second place in the North Division with the Great Falls Voyagers with a 13-11 record. With Missoula winning the first half division title, and leading the Chukars and Voyagers by three games the battle for the final playoff spot might come down to a three way battle between Idaho Falls, Great Falls, and Billings. If Missoula wins the second half, the second half playoff spot goes to whoever has the better record. That was how the Chukars made their way into the playoffs last season, with a 55-38 record in 2021. Idaho Falls will need to play well in the final four series of the season to have a chance at sneaking into the postseason. Two of the four teams the Chukars will face all have winning records, so the grouse will have their work cut out for them.
Tomorrow night's game against Missoula can be heard on KSPZ The Sports Zone 98.7 FM, 980 AM and online at 980thezone.com. A video stream from Missoula can be viewed on the PBL Network. Idaho Falls will roll out RHP Jack Dicenso and the Paddleheads starter is TBD.
Pioneer League Stories from August 15, 2022
- Pioneer League Announces "PBL Players of the Week" for Week 12 - PL
- PaddleHeads Homestand Highlights - Missoula PaddleHeads
- State of the Chukars: August 15, 2022 - Idaho Falls Chukars
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