Leerssen settles in after rough 4th, Chukars come back for win

IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Falls Chukars continued to build upon a strong start to the second half with a win at Melaleuca Field Friday night.

Starter Josh Leerssen followed up his complete game shutout last week in Ogden, Utah, with another win despite being tagged with three homers and eight runs in the first four innings. He settled in after a six-run fourth, giving his offense a chance to come back, which it did, behind a 10-run fifth, en route to a 19-14 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers (3-7, 21-37).

The Chukars (6-4, 21-37) improved to 3-1 on the homestand with Friday’s impressive comeback win.

Leerssen (W, 5-5, 9.64 ERA) worked a 1-2-3 first but served up back-to-back homers to start the second. He was hit hard again in the fourth, after a perfect third, surrendering six runs, four of those scoring on a grand slam, before recording an out.

The big fly appeared to put Idaho Falls in a tough spot, suddenly trailing and with their ace reeling on the mound.

But Leerssen found his comfort zone and escaped the fourth without any further damage. Including the final out of the fourth, he retired seven straight before departing the game.

He finished his 6 innings of work having given up six hits, four walks and eight runs while striking out four.

An 8-5 deficit in the fourth was quickly erased in the fifth, when the Chukars scored 10 runs on nine hits.

Every Chukar who got an at-bat in the game made a contribution. All nine recorded at least one hit, with seven of them collecting two and second baseman Emilia Barrera finishing with a game-high four.

Heading into the late innings with the Chukars up 15-8, the Voyagers continued to chip into the deficit while the Idaho Falls offense had an answer each time.

Barrera, Justin Trimble, Drew Stengren and Parker Lester each homered in the win. Trimble and Stengren led the home team with four RBIs apiece, while Barrera and Casey Vaughan scored three runs each.

Four Chukar relievers combined to finish the game without allowing Great Falls to fully erase the advantage, including close Hunter Hargett, who worked a perfect ninth.

The same two high-powered offenses will be on the field together again Saturday, with first pitch at Melaleuca Field scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

PBL second-half standings
1. Modesto Roadsters (9-1)
2. Long Beach Coast (8-2)
T3. Billings Mustangs (7-3)
T3. Missoula PaddleHeads (7-3)
T5. Boise Hawks (6-4)
T5. Idaho Falls Chukars (6-4)
7. Ogden Raptors (5-5)
T8. Great Falls Voyagers (3-7)
T8. Oakland Ballers (3-7)
T8. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (3-7)
11. Glacier Range Riders (2-8)
12. RedPocket Mobiles (1-9)