PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Go-Ahead Runs in the Ninth Propel Osprey to Victory over Owlz

Published on August 10, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey (26-25, 7-6) took advantage of a bases loaded opportunity in the top of the ninth on a two-run single from Zachery Almond to propel them to a 6-4 victory over Orem Owlz (15- 36, 3-10) Friday night at the Home of the Owlz.

Missoula plated the first run of the game in the top of the first when Alek Thomas led off the game with a double. He moved to third on a strikeout, and scored on a passed ball with Buddy Kennedy at the plate to give the Osprey a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Osprey starter Wilfry Cruz got into trouble by loading the bases, but worked out of it with a groundout to preserve the 1-0 Osprey lead.

Orem grabbed its first lead of the night in the bottom of the second when they put two runners in scoring position and Jeremiah Jackson grounded out to tie the game. Jordyn Adams then singled to give the Owlz a 2- 1 advantage after two. The Owlz plated another run in the third when David Clawson drove an RBI single up the middle to score D'Shawn Knowles after he doubled.

The offense for Missoula picked things up in the fifth as they grabbed three runs to take the lead back from Orem. David Sanchez walked while Thomas singled to right to put two men on. Blaze Alexander then tripled to bring home both runs and tie the game while Kennedy drove a sacrifice fly to score Alexander and give the Osprey a 4-3 lead.

The Owlz bounced back in the sixth as David Clawson reached on an error to open the inning. Justin Jones doubled to put two men in scoring position as Jackson grounded out to score Clawson and tie the game 4-4 after six.

It took until the ninth for the Osprey to regain control of the game as Thomas led off the inning with a walk. Alexander and Kennedy hit back-to-back singles to load the bases for Almond. The All-Star drove a single up the middle to give Missoula a 6-4 lead.

Bryan Menendez shut the door for Missoula in the bottom of the ninth, walking batter but inducing a ground ball to end the game for his sixth save of the season. Pedro Zorrilla (2-2) earned the victory after tossing four innings of relief baseball for Missoula while allowing one unearned run. Tyler Smith (2-1) is tagged with the loss after allowing the two ninth inning runs.

Missoula and Orem battle in game three of the series Saturday starting at 7:05 pm. The Selway Armory Pregame show begins at 6:45 pm on 102.9 ESPN Missoula and the MiLB First Pitch App.

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