IDAHO FALLS, ID – The Missoula Osprey only managed three hits, so three runs were more than enough for Idaho Falls. The Chukars won 3-0 Monday night for their fourth straight win to start the Pioneer League season. The Osprey fall to 2-2.
3,288 fans came out to the home opener at Melaleuca Field. They watched an outstanding pitching performance by the home team. Zach Haake, Chih-Ting Wang and Anthony Veneziano combined to only give up three hits and five walks to Missoula hitters, while striking out nine.
The Chukars jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a double to the wall in dead center by Chris Hudgins in the bottom of the first inning. Isaiah Smith tripled home another run in the sixth. Osprey starter Patrick McGuff struke out nine batters in six innings, but gave up the three runs to take the loss. Overall, Missoula recorded 14 strikeouts in the loss.
Game two of the three-game series starts at 7:15 Tuesday night in Idaho Falls.
