Chukars beat Great Falls Voyagers

IDAHO FALLS — A team usually known for their hitting, three Idaho Falls Chukars pitchers combined to give up the fewest runs in a game all season in a 5-1 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers on Monday night at Melaleuca Field.

In a pitchers duel with Voyagers starter Tanner Banks all night, the Chukars began their offensive surge in the sixth inning trailing 1-0. Starting off with a leadoff triple from first basemen Logan Nottebrok, outfielder Amalani Fukofuka came through with a two-out RBI single to tie the game up at 1-1.

One inning later, Nottebrok struck again against Voyagers reliever Chris Freudenberg (L, 0-1). After the lefty gave up a leadoff single to outfielder Brawlun Gomez, hit a batter and then walked third basemen Ryan Dale intentionally, Nottebrok drew a bases-loaded walk to score Gomez and put the Chukars up for good.

Idaho Falls tacked on all their of their additional insurance runs in the eighth inning against Freudenberg, headlined by a two-run blast from Gomez and a RBI groundout by catcher Nick Dini. The homer for Gomez went an estimated 455 feet, the longest rountripper for a Chukars player this year. It was his fifth longball of the year, leading all his current teammates.

While the offense put the game away, it was the Chukars pitching staff that stole the show for the second straight night.

Headlined by four scoreless innings from starter Daniel Concepcion, the recent 12th round Royals selection combined with righty Josh Staumont and lefty Hunter Haynes to give up less than two runs for the first time all season. Haynes earned his second straight win in relief, tossing three scoreless inning while striking out four to improve to 2-5 on the year.

The last time the Chukars pitching staff has given up one or fewer runs in a game dates back to 8/30/14 in a 5-1 victory against Orem.

En route to a victory, Idaho Falls has now won five of their six games overall and has clinched a homestand victory with all those wins coming at part of a seven-game set at Melaeluca Field.

Idaho Falls will wrap up their week-long homestand against Great Falls on Monday night at Melaleuca Field. The Chukars will send RHP Carter Hope to the hill while the Voyagers will counter with RHP Brannon Easterling. First pitch is at 7:15 PM.

Make sure to tune to John Balginy and Alex Cohen all season long on MiLBTV, the Chukars Tune-In Radio App and live on ESPN 980 AM, 105.1 FM and 94.5 FM.

For tickets or any other information, call (208) 522-8363, follow the Chukars on facebook and twitter at @Ifchukars or visit www.ifchukars.com.