Ghosts pitching leads the way in win over Idaho Falls

The Casper Ghosts used clutch hitting and outstanding pitching to beat the Idaho Falls Chukars 5-2 in front of 2,400 fans at Melaleuca Field in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The Chukars lit up the scoreboard first. In the bottom of the first, Tim Ferguson led off with a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch, and got to third on a sacrifice bunt. He would score on a ground out by Jake Kuebler to give the Chukars a 1-0 lead.

Casper would tie the game in the third. Jeff Squier led off with a single, he then stole second, and got to third on a passed ball. He would score on a bloop single by Blake McDade with one out.

The Ghosts would grab the lead in the fourth. With one out Robert De La Cruz and David Dinatale walked, then Michael Ramirez reached on an error to load the bases with one out. After a strikeout, Corey Dickerson singled to center to drive in De La Cruz and Dinatale to give the Ghosts a 3-1 lead.

Idaho Falls would get a run back in the bottom part of the inning. It would start with a leadoff walk to Julio Aparicio, Anthony Howard would follow with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Tom Zebroski would give the Chukars runners at 2^nd and 3^rd with one out. COrrey Figueroa would drive in Aparicio on a ground out to make the score 3-2, but Kevin David would strike out with Howard at third to end the inning.

In the fifth, the Ghosts would extend the lead with more timely hitting. Jordan Ballard would reach on an error to start the inning. He would get to second on a single by Blake McDade. After a sacrifice bunt moved them up a base, De La Cruz would strike out for the second out of the inning. David Dinatale doubled off the top of the wall in left field to drive in both runners and that would give the Ghosts a 5-2 lead.

Tyler Gagnon started the game for the Ghosts and allowed just 1 earned run in four innings. He was relieved by Ricardo Ferrer who pitched 3 scoreless innings, retiring the first 6 batters he faced. Ferrer got out of a key bases loaded jam in the 7^th to preserve the Ghosts 5-2 lead. Ferrer would get the win, and Juan Perez would get his first professional save after pitching scoreless 8^th and 9^th innings. The Ghosts held the Chukars to just three hits.

The Ghosts will look to sweep this short 2-game series tomorrow night. Bruce Kern will start opposite Santiago Garrido. First pitch is set for 7:15.