Chukars erupt for 30 runs to finish off road sweep of Jackalopes
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Idaho Falls offense stormed through western Colorado, scoring 86 runs in a five-game sweep of the Grand Junction Jackalopes.
The Chukars (14-3) pounded the Jackalopes pitching staff into submission, averaging 17.2 runs per game. Grand Junction (3-14) returned the favor a bit Sunday, scoring 17 runs after being largely held in check through the first four games.
Tyler Wyatt was once again massively impactful, this time out of the lead-off spot. He finished Sunday’s 30-17 victory with game-highs in hits (5) and RBIs (8), launching one of the Chukars’ five home runs on the afternoon.
Benjamin Rosengard, Spencer Rich, Gabriel Vasquez and Simon Baumgardt each added homers — Rich and Baumgardt remain tied for the team lead, now with five.
As a team, the Chukars lead the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) in hits (259), batting average (.390), slugging percentage (.614) and RBIs (197).
Though it took some lumps on Sunday, the Idaho Falls pitching was as effective as its offense in Grand Junction, holding the jackalopes to 31 runs in the five-game set (6.2 per game).
Starter Gary Grosjean (W, 4-0) allowed four runs in his 4 innings of work, after receiving nine runs of support in the top of the first. It took five relievers to finally shut the door on the comeback-minded Grand Junction offense.
The Chukars return home Tuesday to open a series with the Boise Hawks. Game one is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The two teams faced off in Boise to start the season, with the Chukars taking five of six from the Hawks.
Current PBL standings
T1. Idaho Falls Chukars (14-3)
T1. Rocky Mountain Vibes (14-3)
3. Missoula PaddleHeads (13-5)
4. Oakland Ballers (12-6)
5. Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers (11-7)
6. Boise Hawks (10-8)
T7. Billings Mustangs (8-10)
T7. Glacier Range Riders (8-10)
T7. Ogden Raptors (8-10)
T10. Grand Junction Jackalopes (3-14)
T10. Northern Colorado Owlz (3-14)
12. Great Falls Voyagers (2-16)