Chukars extended their winning streak with a victory of the Jackalopes

Chukars extended their winning streak with a victory of the Jackalopes

Will Vasseur

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho– Jorge Gonzalez went seven innings, powering the Chukars to a 6-4 victory over the Jackalopes on Saturday night.

Following a 6-4 victory on Friday night, the Chukars entered Saturday’s game, looking to win for a third consecutive game.

Jorge Gonzalez was given the opportunity to start the game for Idaho Falls for the fourth time this season.

In return, Trey Morrill was given the start for the Jackalopes. 

Grand Junction got the scoring started when Jaylen Hubbard walked and came later came around to score on an RBI single from Ron Washington Jr., giving the Jackalopes a 1-0 lead.

The Chukars responded in the top of the fourth when Michael Kohn slapped an RBI single to score Trevor Halsema. Later in the inning, Steven Cullen scored on a wild pitch from Morrill to give Idaho Falls a 2-1 lead.

The Jackalopes evened the score in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Andrew Meggs.

Idaho Falls responded quickly in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs. Kohn gave them the lead again when he laced an RBI double to score Halsema. Mark Herron Jr. hit his fourth RBI of the series, smacking a single to score Kohn. Finally, Anthony Frechette hit a sacrifice fly to score Steven Cullen and give the Chukars a 5-2 lead.

Sam Troyer added insurance for the Chukars in the top of the seventh inning, when he scored on a wild pitch from Tyler Johnson, giving them a 6-2 lead.

The Jackalopes cut away at their deficit in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a sacrifice fly RBI from Joe Johnson and an RBI single from Meggs, cutting the Chukars' lead to 6-4.

Grand Junction threatened in the bottom of the ninth with runners on the corners and two outs, but Bryant Bagshaw was able to get Jacob Cruce to flyout to Mark Herron Jr., giving the Chukars a 6-4 victory.

The Chukars capitalized off of a brilliant performance from Gonzalez, who went 7.0 innings and surrendered four runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out nine Jackalopes and picking up the victory. Bagshaw also collected the save for the Chukars, his fifth of the season.

For the Jackalope, Merrill was handed the loss, going 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits.

With the win, the Chukars extended their winning streak to three games, advancing their second-half record to 10-13 (25-46 overall).

The Chukars will go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon when they face the Jackalopes for the final time this season.