PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey and Rockies Open Series in Grand Junction Monday

August 13, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey (28-25, 9-6) attempt to win their fourth straight game as they open a three-game series Monday in Grand Junction (30-25, 10-6) Monday at Suplizio Field.

Set to take the mound for Missoula is right-hander Deyni Olivero (2-3). The 20-year-old owns a 4.29 ERA in nine starts. With 42 innings logged, Olivero has compiled 35 strikeouts and allowed 15 walks. In his last appearance, Olivero last 5.2 innings vs. Helena August 2 to earn his second win of the season after allowing to earned runs.

His opposition for the Rockies is left-hander Ryan Rolison (0-1). The Colorado Rockies first round pick of this years draft has made five starts and holds a 2.12 ERA. In 17 innings, Rolison has 22 strikeouts and three walks. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start this season.

The Osprey come off a 9-6 win in Orem to complete a 3-1 series victory over the Owlz in their first series after the All-Star break.

Missoula applied pressure on Orem starter Cole Duensing after loading the bases with two singles and a walk. However, the Osprey scored just one run after Zack Shannon grounded into a double play to plate Thomas and give Missoula 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Orem jumped on Osprey starter Marcos Tineo as Nonie Williams launched a two- run homer to give the Owlz their first lead 2-1.

The Osprey wasted no time in taking the lead back as Alek Thomas led off the third with a solo home run. Blaze Alexander followed him with a single, and Shannon doubled him home to give Missoula a 3-2 lead.

The Osprey offense continued their pace with two more hits in the fourth, one coming on a two-run home run by David Sanchez, his first of the season. Missoula also scored a run on an Orem error to push its lead to 6-2.

Thomas led off the sixth for Missoula with a single while Alexander followed him with a double. Shannon drove home Thomas on the sacrifice fly and Eddie Hernandez doubled in Alexander to push the Osprey in front 8-2.

Orem cut the lead to four in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly and RBI single from David Clawson to make it an 8-4 game. With the bases loaded in the eighth, Connor Fitzsimons grounded out to score another run for the Owlz to pull within 8-5 but Orem left two men on base.

After a two-out walk to Cesar Garcia and a stolen base, Sanchez doubled home Garcia to widen the Osprey lead to 9-5 in the top of the ninth.

Bryan Menendez entered for Missoula in the bottom of the ninth and allowed a run, but closed the game out for his seventh save on the season. Erinn Baldwin (2-2) earned the victory after tossing four innings and allowing two runs to the Owlz. Cole Duensing (0-9) is tagged with the loss for the ninth consecutive game.

Missoula heads to Grand Junction, Colorado to begin a three-game series with the Rockies Monday at 6:40 pm. The Selway Armory Pregame show begins at 6:30 pm on 102.9 ESPN Missoula and the MiLB First Pitch App.

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