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PL Northern Colorado Owlz

Owlz Comeback Win Shaves Magic Number to One

September 7, 2010 - Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release


Ogden, Ut. - After a 3-run Ogden first inning, the Owlz stormed back to win, 5-3, Tuesday night behind a 3-for-4 night by Andrew Heid and a stellar performance by the Owlz bullpen.

The Raptors scored three quick runs in the top of the first inning putting the Owlz in a deep hole right away. The Owlz, however, got all three of those runs back in the bottom of the third inning. Heid started the scoring in the third inning with a solo home run to right field. Jake Rife and Kole Calhoun followed with back-to-back singles. Then Brandon Decker struck out swinging, but with two outs, Travis Witherspoon came to the rescue, hitting a 2-RBI double to the right-centerfield gap, tying the game.

Josh Blanco came in and locked down the potent Raptors lineup, only giving up one hit in 2.2 innings pitched and striking out six Ogden batters. Justin La Tempa stepped on the mound and matched Blanco, going 2.2 innings but giving up no hits and striking out two.

Witherspoon swooped in to the rescue again in the sixth, saving an extra base hit for the bullpen on a full-extension, diving play. On a deep line drive to left-centerfield hit by Steve Domecus, Witherspoon raced back and dove for the ball, making arguably the best catch of the season. The ball was hit to the deepest part of the outfield and would have led to a possible one-out triple.

The Owlz offense responded to the outstanding bullpen performance by manufacturing a couple of runs, one in the sixth inning and one in the eighth inning. A.J. Shugel then came in to get the save, ending the game with a smooth, 1-2-3 ninth inning.

"Our relievers were just outstanding tonight," Owlz Manager Tom Kotchman. "Blanco came in and was very good tonight."

The win shaved the Owlz's magic number down to one game to get into the playoffs. The Casper Ghosts had a late rally to beat Idaho Falls, 7-6, holding on to their playoff hopes. Their win keeps the Orem lead at 1.5 games with two games left, meaning that Casper has to win their last two games of the season at Idaho Falls, and the Owlz have to lose both of their last games at Ogden for the Owlz to miss the playoffs.

The Owlz could clinch a playoff spot with a win Wednesday night at Ogden where they will play at 7:05.

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