PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey Seek First Win in Orem Friday

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


MISSOULA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey (25-25, 6-6) and Orem Owlz (15-35, 3-9) are set for game two of the four-game series Friday in Orem at the Home of the Owlz. Missoula sits four games back in the North Division second half standings.

Set to take the hill for Missoula is right-hander Wilfry Cruz (5-1). The 20-year-old owns the most wins of the Osprey roster and holds an ERA of 6.38. Cruz has gone five innings or more in six of his nine starts on the season, including in back-to-back games. Cruz has posted the most strikeouts on the roster with 39 in a total of 42.1 innings.

Orem starts right-hander Cristopher Molina (2-3) who is set to make his seventh start on the season. Molina holds a 6.47 ERA in six starts and 10 appearances as the 21-year-old has 42 strikeouts and 21 walks on the season. His last start was his strongest, tossing five innings of one-run baseball against Ogden August 4.

In the opener Thursday, Orem defeated Missoula 12-7 after scoring 11 runs in the first three innings. On the first swing in the bottom of the first for Orem, Jeremiah Jackson launched a solo home run off Osprey starter Edgar Martinez (3-5) to give Orem a quick 1-0 lead.

Two more solo home runs for Orem in the bottom of the second helped quickly extend the lead to 3-0 after D'Shawn Knowles and Nonie Williams went deep on back-to-back pitches. With two men on for the Owlz, Jordyn Adams laced a two-RBI triple, pushing Orem in front 5-0 after two.

Missoula rapidly struck in the third inning as the Osprey put two runners on base after hits from David Sanchez and Brandon Leyton. Buddy Kennedy singled home Sanchez while Zack Shannon drilled a two-RBI double to pull the game within 5-3.

Orem batted around in the bottom of the third as the Owlz smacked five extra base hits on their way to scoring six runs. Jackson, Adams, Sanjur, and Fitzsimons each drove in a run with an extra base hit to push the lead up to 11-3.

Leading off the top of the fifth for Missoula was Kennedy who walked against Orem starter Matt Leon (2-3). Zac Almond doubled to put two runners on while Shannon drove a single to drive in Kennedy to make it an 11- 4 lead for the Owlz.

The Osprey continued to climb back in the game in the top of the sixth as Jesus Munoz was hit by a pitch and David Sanchez singled to put two men on. Alek Thomas drove his first professional home run to pull the Osprey within 11-7 after six.

Orem plated its final run in the bottom of the eight as Jackson notched his second triple of the night and scored on an RBI single from Adams to give the Owlz a 12-7 lead.

Martinez is pegged with the loss for Missoula as Leon earned the win after tossing five innings of four-run baseball. Leading the way offensively for Missoula was Almond, who finished 3-4 with a double and two singles. Shannon ended the night with a 3-4 performance and three RBIs.

Missoula and Orem battle in game two of the series Friday 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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