Owlz Lose Heartbreaking Game One
Published on September 10, 2010 under Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release
The Raptors stunned the Owlz in game one of the Pioneer League South Division Series by scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning on a Leon Landry single.
The Owlz led the entire game after a towering, Kole Calhoun home run in the bottom of the first inning. The game remained 1-0 thanks to outstanding pitching performances by starter Heath Nichols and relievers A.J. Schugel and Justin La Tempa.
Nichols went 5.2 innings, giving up seven hits and no earned runs while striking out four Raptors. Schugel relieved Nichols in the sixth inning and went 1.1 innings, striking out four and giving up no run on no hits. La Tempa then relieved Schugel and pitched beautifully. La Tempa got the first out of the ninth inning then gave up an awkward double to Mike Pericht down the first base line. The fortunes of the Owlz then took an even worse turn when Casio Grider broke his bat on an inside fastball, but the ball fell just in front of shortstop Rolando Gomez for an infield single.
Grider then stole second base, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. Landry proceeded to line a single into centerfield scoring both runs. The Raptors took the lead for the first time on the night and held on for the win after the Owlz threatened but came up empty in the bottom of the ninth inning. All three hits in the top of the ninth for the Raptors came with two strikes.
"We were one strike away," Owlz Manager Tom Kotchman. "It just goes to show you how one pitch can change everything."
With the loss, the Owlz now trail the best-of-three series, 1-game to nothing, and will head to Ogden to try and win two in a row and salvage the series.
"We will be ready to go tomorrow," Kotchman said. "We're going to show up, we're not going to stay here [in Orem]. We will show up and be ready."
Donn Roach (4-1) will be on the bump Saturday night for game two facing Nathan Eovaldi (1-0). If the Owlz lose, their season will be over, if they win, they will force a game three Sunday afternoon.
The game Saturday night will be in Ogden at Lindquist Field at 7:05.
Pioneer League Stories from September 10, 2010
- Owlz Lose Heartbreaking Game One - Northern Colorado Owlz
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- Mike Moustakas Named Sporting News Minor League Hitter of the Year - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Record Six Royals Farmhands to Represent Team USA at Pan Am Qualifying Tournament - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Season Ends in Cold Sweep - Northern Colorado Owlz
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