The reigning Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year was at his best in front of a capacity crowd of 4,505 Thursday night in Boise, Idaho.

Missoula PaddleHeads veteran hurler Alfredo Villa held the Boise Hawks scoreless through the first six frames, striking out eight. Relievers Mark Timmins and Andrew Garcia locked down the hosts the rest of the way and Zootown's pro baseball team earned its first shutout win of the season, 5-0.

Missoula boosted its Pioneer League-best record to 30-9 with its third-straight victory. The PaddleHeads hold a seven-game lead over the second-place Glacier Range Riders and Oakland Ballers heading into Friday night's contest at Boise. The first-half race ends July 14.

Villa improved to 2-1. Timmins allowed just one hit and struck out two in two innings and Garcia held the Hawks (21-18) to one hit in the ninth.

Boise benefited from strong pitching early, holding Missoula scoreless through four innings. Then starter Luke Malone (3-4) ran into trouble, surrendering an RBI single to Josh Elvir in the fifth. Adam Fogel ripped a three-run home run in the sixth and Roberto Pena added an RBI double in the seventh.

The PaddleHeads finished with 12 hits to six for the Hawks. Chung collected a game-high three hits and walked twice. 

Missoula and Boise are slated to play again Saturday and Sunday in the Gem State. The PaddleHeads will start a three-game series at Idaho Falls Tuesday.