Walk-Off Wins Headline Busy Monday of East Idaho Prep Baseball Action
Drama Across Bonneville County and Eastern Idaho as Several Games Go to Extra Innings
EASTERN IDAHO — Monday delivered a full slate of high school baseball across the region, with walk-off victories, extra-inning thrillers, and a dominant pitching duel headlining the action. Hillcrest and Malad both claimed dramatic late-game wins, while Idaho Falls and Salmon needed extra innings to settle their contest, and Rigby shut out Bonneville in one of the night’s most impressive pitching performances.
In one of the evening’s most memorable finishes, Hillcrest defeated Blackfoot 9-8 on a walk-off single by Cole Croft in the bottom of the seventh inning. Croft and Oaklen Lawrence each recorded three hits for the Knights, who improved to 16-4-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play. Jake Vance and Deacon Whitney each drove in two runs for Blackfoot, which fell to 7-8-1.
Malad staged its own dramatic comeback, rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the seventh inning against Preston. Kyson Willie delivered a clutch two-run double to tie the game, and the Dragons walked it off in the eighth when Ethan Horsley laid down a bunt to score the winning run. Dawsyn Peterson added two doubles for Malad, which improved to 13-4 on the season. Aidyn Thompson went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Preston, which dropped to 9-8-1.
Rigby Shuts Out Bonneville in Pitching Duel; Idaho Falls Edges Salmon in Eight Innings
The most tightly contested game of the evening may have been the 2-0 Rigby victory over Bonneville, a classic pitchers’ duel between two of the region’s top programs. Rigby’s Kadyn Hench delivered six scoreless innings to earn the win, and DJ Boudrero went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Trojans, who stretched their winning streak to eight consecutive games and improved to 14-9. On the other side, Bonneville’s Crew Scott and Ian Anderson combined to surrender just three hits for the Bees, who entered the game riding a five-game winning streak. Bonneville fell to 16-4 with the loss.
Idaho Falls survived a late Salmon rally to win 11-10 in eight innings. The Tigers appeared to have the game in hand before Salmon tied it with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Idaho Falls answered decisively in the top of the eighth when Hudson Palmer ripped an RBI single to left field to score the go-ahead run. Palmer finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Rooke Hawker added two doubles, and Makai Ferguson drove in two runs for the Tigers, who moved to 10-10-1. Cody Cox had a massive night for Salmon, going 3-for-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Salmon fell to 15-4.
In other action Monday, American Falls picked up its first win of the season, defeating Bear Lake 11-3 behind a stellar outing from starter Xavier Parrish, who struck out 11 batters in 6.2 innings. Landon Harris knocked in two runs for American Falls, which improved to 1-18. Daxton Wood went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Bear Lake.
Firth handled Challis-Mackay 21-4 in a five-inning Nuclear-Conference contest. Despite managing only eight hits, the Cougars made every one count. Brycen Andersen hit two doubles and drove in four runs, while Cooper Park also knocked in four runs for Firth, which improved to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Sugar-Salem defeated Teton 5-1 behind a dominant performance from Jace Hammond, who struck out 14 batters and surrendered just one earned run in a Mountain Rivers Conference win. Dax Harris drove in two runs and Hammond added an RBI for the Diggers, who snapped a five-game losing skid to improve to 6-13 overall and 1-3 in conference. Luke Nelson hit a triple for Teton, which dropped to 8-8.
Shelley defeated Thunder Ridge 13-3, with the Russets building an early lead and adding five runs in the sixth inning to seal the win. Eight different Shelley players drove in runs, with Alex Beck, Preston Osterman, Thad Lindsey, and McCoy Remington each recording two RBIs. Shelley improved to 9-11 while Thunder Ridge fell to 8-11-2.
What Comes Next
The spring baseball season continues to heat up across Bonneville County and Eastern Idaho as conference standings tighten heading toward postseason play. Bonneville, despite Monday’s shutout loss, remains among the area’s top programs at 16-4, while Rigby’s eight-game winning streak puts the Trojans in strong position as the regular season winds down. Hillcrest’s 16-4-2 record and 7-1 conference mark also signal a deep postseason run could be ahead for the Knights. Fans and families looking for other community events happening around Idaho Falls this spring can check out details on the Outdoor FitFest event planned in Idaho Falls or learn about the Ice Gala fundraiser supporting local hockey organizations. For additional statewide sports and news coverage, visit Idaho News.