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PL Northern Colorado Owlz

Owlz Come From Behind To Win

August 20, 2010 - Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release


The Owlz came from behind twice on Thursday night to complete a 4-game sweep of the Great Falls Voyagers after another improbable ninth-inning rally.

After being down 5-0 in the sixth inning, the Owlz pulled to within three runs when Brandon Decker continued his hot streak by hitting a 2-run home run to pull the Owlz to within one run. Three batters later, Thomas Nichols added a 2-run home run of his own to give the Owlz a one run lead.

The Owlz lost that lead, however, in the top of the eighth on a two-out, two-RBI double by Jeff Tezak. That put the Voyagers ahead 7-6. After the Owlz went in order in the bottom of the eighth and the Voyagers did likewise in the top of the ninth, the stage was set for more ninth-inning drama at the Home of the Owlz.

Andrew Heid led off the inning grounding out and then Travis Witherspoon stepped into the box. Witherspoon then hit a line drive to right field. Right fielder, Ryan Hamme, drifted back toward the fence and just as he reached the warning track, he reached up to make the catch and the ball bounced off of his glove and kicked over the fence for a home run. In an incredible turn of events, the Owlz went from down to their last out to tying the ballgame. Even had the Hamme not touched the ball, it would have bounced off the wall, instead it bounced over the wall!

The fans at the Home of the Owlz went delirious but the game was not over. Kole Calhoun followed Witherspoon's unbelievable home run with a double to left field. The Voyagers wisely intentionally walked Brandon Decker who went 8-for-17 with 4 home runs and 11 Runs Batted In in the series against Great Falls.

Nick Farnsworth followed Decker by hitting the game-winning single into left field as Calhoun cruised home from second on the hit.

"When things are going right, they're going right," Owlz manager Tom Kotchman said. "When you see a ball bounce off of a guy's glove and go over the fence for a home run, you know things are going right."

The win for the Owlz completed a huge sweep entering a crucial stretch run for the Owlz, but Kotchman knows Great Falls is a good team and the Owlz still have to go to Great Falls next week.

"We know that when we go up there [to Great Falls], they could do the same thing to us," Kotchman said.

Combined with the Ogden Raptors loss, the Owlz climbed to within a half of a game of first place for the second half.

The Owlz will host the Billings Mustangs Friday night to start a three-game series over the weekend. Saturday night will be Fan Appreciation night at the Home of the Owlz celebrated with fireworks after the game.

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