The Idaho Falls Chukars turned what looked like an ugly blowout into a dominant statement on Tuesday night, rallying from a 9-run deficit to post a 19-4 victory over the Great Falls Voyagers at Melaleuca Field in a performance powered by monster nights from Justin Trimble and Sam Canton.
The game appeared well out of reach after starter Josh Leerssen surrendered 10 hits and 10 earned runs in just 3-2/3 innings, leaving Idaho Falls trailing 10-1 heading into the fifth. What followed was one of the most explosive single-inning outbursts in recent Chukars history.
A Fifth Inning for the Record Books
Idaho Falls sent batters to the plate in a relentless fifth-inning surge, plating 12 runs to completely flip the scoreboard. Canton ignited the frame, knocking a sacrifice fly and following it up with a three-run triple to drive in four runs in the inning alone. Trimble then cleared the bases with a grand slam, adding three more to the board. Tyler Wyatt chipped in with both a solo homer and an RBI single during the onslaught. Abe Valdez, Ty Dooley, and Garret Ostrander each crossed home plate twice in the inning as the Voyagers’ pitching staff crumbled under the pressure.
By the time the dust settled, a game that looked like a blowout loss had become a laugher in the other direction.
Individual Performances Stand Out
Trimble finished the night with three hits, two runs scored, and six RBIs — anchored by his fifth-inning grand slam. Canton was nearly as impressive, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and five RBIs, coming just a home run short of hitting for the cycle. Wesley Mitchell also went deep for the Chukars. Drew Stengren contributed two hits and three RBIs to round out a potent offensive showing.
On the mound, Julian Berenti stepped in for the struggling Leerssen and delivered 2-1/3 solid innings, allowing just two runs — one earned — to earn his first win of the season and improve to 1-0. Ryan Inouye closed things out with a clean performance in the eighth and ninth innings, picking up his first save of the year.
The win marked the Chukars’ second consecutive home victory and comes during a 12-game homestand that the club will look to continue leveraging. Idaho Falls sits at 6-24 on the season, while Great Falls fell to 12-19 with the loss.
For Chukars fans following the team’s summer run, Tuesday’s rally offers a glimpse of the offensive firepower this roster can produce when things click. The same two teams are set to meet again Wednesday at Melaleuca Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For more on local summer baseball action, including recent coverage of the Gate City Grays and Chukars as the season heats up, check out our ongoing coverage of Southeast Idaho baseball.
What Comes Next
The Chukars and Voyagers wrap up their current series Wednesday evening, giving Idaho Falls a chance to build a third straight home win. With the homestand still well underway, the club will have several more opportunities over the coming days to improve on a 6-24 mark that leaves room for growth as summer baseball rolls on in eastern Idaho.