IDAHO FALLS – The Chukars entered Sunday’s game at Grand Junction riding a five-game win streak and winners of eight of their past 10 games.
It’s a small sample size to say the team is much improved after finishing 40-56 last season, but the numbers don’t lie.
The most telling number in 18.
That’s the number of returning players the Chukars featured on their roster in 2025 and that experience is paying off, second-year manager Troy Percival said.
It’s also not a coincidence.
“The last two and half months (of last season) we were building for this year,” Percival said. “Bringing the right guys in, the right chemistry. Guys that played hard. I wanted a lot of grinders that could play the game the right way.”
“We have a great clubhouse,” added shortstop Benjamin Rosengard, who was among league leaders with a .467 average and 19 RBIs.
In what is expected to be a very competitive race in the Pioneer League, the fast start keeps the team in contention to challenge during the first half of the season.
The Chukars were 20-28 in the first half last season, 17 game behind first-half winner Missoula.
Missoula entered Sunday just a game behind the Chukars in the win column. Both teams were chasing the Rocky Mountain Vibes at 14-2. Six teams were over .500, so every win is crucial, especially on the road where the Chukars were 9-1.
Speaking of stats
The Chukars were hitting .381 as a team, second behind only the Rocky Mountain Vibes (.392). Their 26 home runs were second to Missoula’s 32.
Speaking of stats II
The Chukars were second-to-last in the Pioneer League last season with an earned run average of 7.95. They were in the top half in walks allowed and bottom half in strikeouts. They were last with 857 runs allowed.
This season?
Throw out a wild three-game set against Billings where Idaho Falls gave up 59 runs but still won two of the three games, the Chukars’ pitching has been much improved with a 4.30 ERA.
The team is second in the league with just 57 walks.
Individually, Rosengard’s .467 average is fourth in the Pioneer League. Trevor Rogers was among league leaders at .438 and Spencer Rich’s six stolen bases are also among league leaders.
On the mound, Connor Harrison and Gary Grosjean each top the league with three wins. Harrison’s 19 strikeouts is among league leaders.
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