Chukars take 2 of 3 in Boise setting stage for massive home series

BOISE — The Oakland Ballers and Missoula PaddleHeads have already secured PBL playoff spots by virtue of their first-half records. The same two teams boast the best second-half records, meaning overall records will decide the remaining two playoff spots.

The Boise Hawks (44-43, 14-25) are within striking distance of the Chukars (49-37, 22-17), who currently hold the league’s third-best overall record — behind the Ballers and PaddleHeads. Sandwiched between the third-place Chukars and sixth-place Hawks are the Ogden Raptors (47-39) and Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers (46-41).

Idaho Falls did its job in Boise, taking two of three — after losing the first game of the series in the overtime knockout round.

The Chukars’ 23-7 win Thursday improved their positioning, keeping them two games ahead of the troublesome Raptors while pushing Boise further into a hole. And it came on the strength of a complete team effort.

Ace Gary Grosjean was once again dominant, while six different Chukars recorded at least three hits and four drove in at least three runs.

Grosjean (W, 11-5) won his third straight start, limiting Boise to one unearned run on four hits across 6 inning. The team leader in strikeouts whiffed eight Hawks, pushing his season total to 94.

He is currently tied for the league lead in wins and is sixth among all PBL pitchers in strikeouts.

The Idaho Falls bullpen, which has struggled at times this season, held the Hawks to one hits — with Jean Reyes allowing a single in the seventh and Jake Dixon working a clean eighth.

Boise did get something cooking in the ninth, pushing across six runs. But that surge came at the expense of infielder Benjamin Rosengard, who came worked in a mop-up role with the Chukars ahead 23-1.

The only Chukar to play and not record a hit was Gabriel Vasquez, who came on defensively in the sixth inning to replace Spencer Rich — who went 1-for-4 with three RBIs. Vasquez was hit by a pitch in the seventh, though, meaning everyone who held a bat for Idaho Falls reached base safely at least once.

Trevor Rogers did wholesale damage, collecting four hits and knocking in four runs, giving him 98 RBIs on the season.

Garret Ostrander also recorded four hits, including a home run (9), while scoring five runs. Grady Morgan added his fourth homer of the season, and Eddie Pelc and Anthony Mata along with new additions Nick Poss and Kirkland Banks collected three hits apiece.

Behind their balanced attack, the Idaho Falls offense scored in every inning except the first.

The Chukars will look for that offensive power to carry over when they return to Melaleuca Field Friday night to open a three-game set with the Raptors. A series win would give Idaho Falls a strangle hold on the third of four playoff spots.

PBL second-half standings
1. Oakland Ballers (30-9)
2. Missoula PaddleHeads (27-12)
3. Idaho Falls Chukars (22-17)
T4. Billings Mustangs (21-18)
T4. Ogden Raptors (21-18)
6. Rocky Mountain Vibes (19-19)
7. Glacier Range Riders (18-21)
T8. Great Falls Voyagers (17-22)
T8. Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers (17-22)
10. Grand Junction Jackalopes (14-24)
11. Boise Hawks (14-25)
12. Colorado Springs Sky Sox (12-26)