Chukars finish 6-game sweep, now just 3 games back

IDAHO FALLS — The Idaho Falls Chukars finished a six-game sweep of the RedPocket Mobiles with two wins Sunday.

With the two victories, the Chukars (22-14, 37-47) moved ahead of the Boise Hawks and made up one game on the Missoula PaddleHeads (25-11, 49-34). Idaho Falls is now just 3 games back of the final playoff spot.

The Chuks opened their final homestand of the season looking to take advantage of the Mobiles (1-35, 13-71) and their league-worst record. They did so, taking all six games, waiting until Sunday to finish Saturday night’s game, which was postponed due to inclement weather.

Idaho Falls rode a dominant pitching performance to the first game Sunday. Starter Josh Leerssen (ND, 5-7, 9.85 ERA) got that started Saturday night, holding RedPocket to three hits and one run in 3 innings before the game was postponed.

Mason Collins, who went 4 innings, surrendering five hits and two runs, one earned, kept things going when play resumed. Ryan Inouye (W, 3-3, 5.66 ERA) earned the decision with 2 perfect innings to finish the game.

Tyler Wyatt pushed his PBL-record hitting streak to 39 games with a single and a run scored. But it was Justin Trimble that led the Chukar offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.

The strong pitching continued in Sunday’s second game, with starter Sean Kelby holding the Mobiles to three hits and three runs in his 4 innings. C.J. Colyer struggled a bit, serving up four hits, including a homer, and three runs while recording just two outs.

Mason Bryant (W, 1-0, 8.10 ERA) went the rest of the way, surrendering three hits and two runs, one earned, in 2-1/3 innings.

Trimble left his mark on the second game as well, going 1-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored. Wesley Mitchell carried the load, going 3-for-4 with two homers, three runs scored and seven batted in.

The Chukars will open their final home series of the year Tuesday, facing the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (13-23, 28-56), who have struggled in the second half but come to town having won their last two games.

First pitch on Tuesday is set for 7:05 p.m.

Idaho Falls needs wins as well as losses from the Missoula PaddleHeads (25-11, 49-34) and Billings Mustangs (23-13, 59-24).

Missoula will be in Oakland this week, facing the reigning champion Ballers (19-17, 41-43), while the Mustangs will be at home against the Ogden Raptors (16-20, 45-39).

PBL second-half standings

1. Modesto Roadsters 29-7
2. Missoula PaddleHeads 25-11
3. Billings Mustangs 23-13
4. Idaho Falls Chukars 22-14
T5. Boise Hawks 21-15
T5. Long Beach Coast 21-15
7. Oakland Ballers 19-17
8. Ogden Raptors 16-20
9. Glacier Range Riders 14-22
10. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds 13-23
11. Great Falls Voyagers 12-24
12. RedPocket Mobiles 1-35