Owlz Ride Eight-Run Inning to 15-3 Win
Published on July 7, 2016 under Pioneer League (PL)
Northern Colorado Owlz News Release
OREM, Utah-The Orem Owlz (13-7) pounded out 18 hits and coasted to a 15-3 victory and series win over the Grand Junction Rockies (10-10) after an eight-run sixth inning. Jose Rojas led the offense for the Owlz as his hot bat continued to work on a 3-for-5 night with two RBIs and three runs scored.
Troy Montgomery started the hit parade for the Owlz in the first with a leadoff single back up the middle, then came around to score on a triple to the warning track in right by Jahmai Jones. Matt Thaiss drove Jones home on a frozen rope to left for an early 2-0 Orem lead.
Grand Junction cut the Orem lead in half in the second with a leadoff single up the middle by Jose Gomez, who came in score from third on a single under the glove of Thaiss by Cesar Galvez.
Thaiss led off the big sixth inning with a single up the middle, then advanced to third on a single to right by Jordan Zimmerman. With runners on the corners, Zimmerman attempted to steal second, but was caught in a rundown. With the middle infield's attention on Zimmerman, Thaiss made a break for home, but was tagged out by third baseman Taylor Snyder. Zimmerman advanced to third on the play.
Rojas then singled to score Zimmerman, and Connor Justus drove a double to the warning track in left center to send Rojas to third. With the infield playing in on the grass, Angel Genao shot a hot ground ball at Gomez, who couldn't get a glove on it. Zimmerman and Justus both came in to score on the play for a 6-1 lead.
The Owlz continued to pile on the runs in the inning with a bases-loaded, two-run single through the right side of the infield by L.J. Kalawaia. McDonnell came in to score from third as Kalawaia was caught stealing second. Jones and Thaiss kept the inning alive with back-to-back singles. Jones came in to score as Zimmerman reached on another error by Gomez at shortstop, then Thaiss capped the inning with a run on a single to right by Rojas for an 11-1 lead.
The Rockies scored a pair of runs in the seventh, but could not scratch the surface of the massive deficit.
The Owlz piled on four more runs in the bottom of the eighth on just three hits, but left the bases loaded to take their runners left on-base total to 14 on the night.
Andrew Vinson closed out the Rockies in order in the ninth, and completed the game with a strike out of Hunter 0
The Owlz continue their seven-game home stand with a four-game series against the Idaho Falls Chukars. Game 1 of the series comes Friday with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. MT at the Home of the Owlz. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Pioneer League Stories from July 7, 2016
- Rockies Blown out in Pint's Second Start - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Ogden Holds on for 5-4 Win over Idaho Falls - Ogden Raptors
- Ogden Loses Heartbreaker 12-10 - Ogden Raptors
- Owlz Ride Eight-Run Inning to 15-3 Win - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Osprey Erase Early Deficit, Drop Game Late - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Frabasilio Promoted to Wilmington - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Owlz Split Doubleheader with Rockies - Northern Colorado Owlz
- Rockies Hang on for Doubleheader Split - Grand Junction Jackalopes
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