Raptors Slash Owlz with 3 Runs, Despite Excessive Heat
July 29, 2016 - Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release
OGDEN - The Raptors brought the heat back to Ogden Thursday night after their four game tryst against Helena, winning their first game of a four-game homestay against the Orem Owlz 3-2.
The temperature was an intensive 103 degrees at the time of the first pitch of the night. It was a slow start, taking the Owlz (22-17) two innings to make it on the board with a 1-0 lead.
The game intensified and the Raptors' came to life in the fifth when third baseman Jared Walker blasted his third homerun of the season over center field, clearing the bases and bringing Gersel Pitre over the plate. With a 2-1 lead, Brandon Montgomery ripped a whopping 407-foot fly ball over center field in his debut as an Ogden Raptor.
"I really can't describe getting that weight off my shoulders," said Montgomery who moved up from the Arizona League.
Errol Robinson was on fire defensively and was tested with two fantastic ground outs, stopping the Owlz from getting any hits in the sixth inning. Additionally, Dean Kremer (0-0) lasted three innings only allowing one run and Jorge Gonzalez (0-1) pitched just three innings, not allowing a single run.
When asked about how the team is progressing Montgomery said, "Our defense is outstanding, the hitting is amazing and the pitching is phenomenal."
The Owlz continued to trail 3-1 in the top of the eighth after scoring first in the beginning of the second. With two outs and a runner on third, centerfielder DJ Peters gunned down a double play off Owlz third baseman Jorge Rojas to catcher Gersel Pitre, not allowing Orem to score.
"[Peters] is a fantastic athlete and a huge asset to this team and lineup, but he is just a great piece to what we have as a whole also," said Raptors manager Shaun Larkin.
Tensions were high with two outs and a runner on base when Peters received his third fly ball of the night at centerfield.
Facing the Owlz for the first time, Andrew Istler (1-0) slammed the door shut and only allowed one run to finish the game.
The second game of the four-game series is Friday at Lindquist Field. Pregame coverage with Robbie Bullough and AP Herreld begins at 6:45pm MT on the Ogden Raptors Baseball Network. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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Pioneer League Stories from July 29, 2016
- Long Ball Hurts Grey, Osprey; Helena 8, Missoula 4 - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Owlz Open Second Half in Quiet Loss - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Raptors Slash Owlz with 3 Runs, Despite Excessive Heat - Ogden Raptors
- Rockies Fall in Second Half Opener - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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