Orem Walks off with Series in Eleven
Published on August 13, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
OREM, UTAH. - Brendon Sanger contributed the big hit as part of a 4-for-6 night with three RBI, lacing a walk-off RBI-double down the right field line to bring home Michael Hermosillo in the bottom of the 11th and hand Orem (32-19) a 9-8 victory over the Missoula Osprey (30-20) on Wednesday night from the Home of the OWLZ.
Missoula led 6-1 headed into the bottom of the sixth, but the Owlz rallied for two in the sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth to knot the tally at 6-6 headed to the ninth. Gabriel Moya surrendered the tying run in the eighth as Jared Foster belted his fourth home run of the year down the right field line.
Despite allowing the lead to slip away, the Osprey seemingly put themselves in great position to win in the top of the ninth, getting two runs on Austin Byler's 11th home run of the year - a towering two-run shot with Luke Lowery aboard to run the tally to 8-6. Byler is now tied for the Pioneer League in home runs, as he has connected for six over his last five games played.
Handing the ball over to its closer Dan Savas in the bottom of the ninth, Missoula saw the two-run lead evaporate as Juan Moreno singled to start the inning. After moving to second on a wild pitch, Moreno moved to third on a deep fly ball to right for the first out. Sanger delivered the RBI on the ensuing play, dribbling a base hit up the third-base line before Michael Pierson doubled off the wall in left. Manager Mike Stapleton tried to send Sanger in to score all the way from first, but a stellar relay from Matt McPhearson to Isan Diaz and then Lowery cut down the tying run and handed Missoula the second out. Unfortunately, Jeff Boehm came up clutch on the ensuing play, punching a single through the left side where the throw to the plate skipped past Lowery and allowed Pierson to come in to score the tying run.
Pierson finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI to increase his league-best batting average to .402.
The Osprey missed out on a golden opportunity to take a lead in the 10th inning as Joey Armstrong singled to start the frame before moving to third on an error charged to shortstop Juan Moreno with one out, leaving runners at the corners. Isan Diaz came to the plate with a chance to drive in the go-ahead run, but a chopper to second base allowed Jordan Serena to tag out Kal Simmons on his way to second before he tossed to first to complete the inning-ending double play.
The bottom of the 11th started innocently for Clark as the right-hander struck out Moreno for the first out. A one-out walk on a 3-2 pitch to Hermosillo put the winning run aboard before the speedster stole second base to get into scoring position for Sanger. Sanger wasted little time delivering the walk-off blow, shooting a 2-0 pitch down the line in right to send the Owlz into celebration. With the loss, Clark fell to 0-3 on the year.
Raymel Flores led the way offensively for Missoula, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Byler went 2-for-6 with the homer and three RBI, while Joey Armstrong and Lowery each collected a 3-for-5 night with a run scored.
The Osprey will return home on Friday at 6:35 pm MT, opening a three-game series with the Grand Junction Rockies. The three-game series will begin a seven-game home stand for Missoula.
Pioneer League Stories from August 13, 2015
- Osprey Move Fireworks Show to Saturday Due to Friday's Red Flag Weather Warning - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Ogden Sweeps Helena in Extras - Ogden Raptors
- Orem Walks off with Series in Eleven - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Sanger Walks-Off Owlz in Thriller - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Raptors Sweep the Brewers - Helena Brewers
- Nevin, Piron Help End Losing Skid - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Chukars Fall to Close Trip - Idaho Falls Chukars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
