PL Missoula PaddleHeads

Osprey Top Orem 7-4 Behind Zack Shannon's Four RBI

August 18, 2018 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


MISSOULA, MONT - The Missoula Osprey jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings and coasted to a 7-4 win over the Orem Owlz on Saturday night at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Osprey 1B Zack Shannon led the way offensively as his 3-run homerun in the 1st inning put Missoula up 4-0 after one inning. With the win,

Missoula remains in 2nd place in the 2nd half of the Pioneer League Northern Division race only four games back of Billings who also won.

The Osprey took command of the game early as they jumped on Orem starting pitcher Cole Duensing with a four run inning. Osprey LF Alek Thomas got the inning going with an infield hit and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. After SS Blaze Alexander walked, 3B Buddy Kennedy singled on a fly ball to right to load the bases. Thomas came across the plate for the game's first run on DH Zac Almond's RBI fielder's choice. One out later, Shannon drilled a line drive to right that cleared the high wall down the line for a 3-run homerun and a 4-0 Osprey lead.

In the home half of the second, Alexander singled home C Nick Dalesandro to make it 5-0 Osprey. Orem then mounted their best opportunity in the top of the 3rd as they loaded the bases with nobody out against Osprey All-Star starting pitcher Marcos Tineo. Tineo induced a double play groundout which allowed one run. It then looked like he would escape the inning without any further damage but his strikeout pitch to Orem's D'Shawn Knowles was wild and Knowles was able to reach first allowing another run to score. Tineo then struck out Francisco Del Valle to end the inning with the Osprey up 5-2.

The Osprey padded their lead with a single run in the 3rd as Shannon drove home his 4th run of the game with an RBI double and another solo tally in the 5th when CF Kristian Robinson stole third and then trotted home on the wild throw to try and nab him. With the Osprey up 7-2, the bullpen took over for Tineo with Pedro Zorilla giving the Osprey four quality shutout innings. Orem tried to make things interesting in the 9th and in fact, did as they forced Osprey skipper Mike Benjamin to bring in his closer Bryan Menendez when the potential tying run came to the plate. Menendez slammed the door for his 7th save as Orem only scored two in the 9th . Final score - Missoula 7 and Orem 4.

The Osprey and Owlz meet again on Sunday with first pitch at 5:05 at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. This will be the final game of the three game series before the Osprey welcome the Grand Junction Rockies for a 4-game set beginning Monday. Sunday is Kid's Day at the stadium. Tickets are on sale now at the MSO Hub in downtown Missoula or by visiting the Osprey at www.missoulaosprey.com.

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Pioneer League Stories from August 18, 2018


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