The Northern Colorado Owlz. now named the Sky Sox, but sporting the Grand Junction Jackalopes’ jerseys for a game, face off against the Grand Junction Jackalopes, while the Jakes wear their alternative identity, the Humpback Chubs, during a game at Suplizio Field on July 2, 2025.
Larry Robinson / The Daily Sentinel
The Grand Junction Jackalopes split their final home series of the season last week, taking three out of six from the last-place Colorado Springs Sky Sox in front of the home crowd one last time in 2025.
The final slate of ballgames at Suplizio Field this season stayed true to form for the Jackalopes’ home ballpark, as offense came early and often in each of the games last week. In all but one game on the week, both teams recorded double-digit runs; in total, the teams scored 193 runs in the series.
The most offense-heavy contest of the week for both squads was an outrageous 32-13 Sky Sox victory on Wednesday. In the game, Sky Sox outfielders TJ McKenzie and Evan Sleight each hit two home runs and drove in a combined 18 runs — 11 RBI from McKenzie, and seven from Sleight. The Jackalopes used eight pitchers in total in the losing effort.
The Jackalopes were on the flip side of a nearly-as-lopsided game later in the week, a 21-10 victory on Friday. All nine players in the Jackalopes’ starting lineup recorded a hit in the one-sided win. Four different Grand Junction players — Alex Pimental, Mason Minzey, Calyn Halvorson and Christian Castaneda — hit home runs in the contest.
Closer Reese Miller continues to lead the Pioneer League in ERA despite a pair of rocky outings on the week. The former West Texas A&M Bison surrendered two and three earned runs in back-to-back contests Saturday and Sunday, raising his ERA to 1.46 across 49 1/3 innings pitched on the season. Miller remains second in the league in saves with 15, only one less than the league leader, Oakland’s Connor Sullivan.
Also among the league’s best statistically was center fielder Zeb Roos. The former Wofford Terrier stole five bases last week, improving his season total to 45. Roos is only one stolen base shy of tying Boise’s Noah Marcelo for the league lead despite playing in six less games than the Hawks’ outfielder this season.
Grand Junction finishes the season 20-28 at Suplizio Field. The Jackalopes will play their final three series of the season on the road, beginning with three games against the PaddleHeads in Missoula, Montana, and then three games against the Mustangs in Billings, Montana. The PaddleHeads have been the Pioneer League’s best team in the second half, sporting a record of 26-10 since the season’s midway point and the Mustangs are 18-18 in the second half. Grand Junction, in contrast, has been the league’s second-worst team in the second half; their 13-23 record is just one game better than last week’s opponent, the Sky Sox.