Owlz lose on 10th-inning homer

OREM — The Orem Owlz fought back Tuesday from an early deficit to force extra innings, but ultimately lost 5-3 to visiting Casper when the Rockies homered in the tenth.

Orem reliever Brendan Wilson entered the game in the top of the tenth. After walking the first batter, Wilson served up a full-count pitch that Casper first baseman Kyle Blumenthal wrapped around the right-field foul pole for what turned out to be the game-winning home run.

In their half of the tenth, the Owlz appeared overmatched by Casper closer Andrew Johnston and meekly went down in order to end the game.

The Rockies drew first blood in the top half of the first when cleanup hitter Cole Garner launched a two-out, two-run homer.

Catcher Brett Martinez led off Orem's half of the second with a double and eventually came around to score on a Michael Hughes groundout to cut the lead to 2-1.

Although Casper stretched its lead to 3-1 in the top of the third, it was a moral victory of sorts for the Owlz because Orem starter Stephen Marek escaped a bases-loaded, no-outs jam with only giving up the one run.

The Owlz answered right back with a run of their own in the home half of the third, making it 3-2. Shortstop Hainley Statia led off the inning with a double and scored two batters later on third baseman Dallas Morris' RBI single.

Daniel Hawkins and Timothy Didjurgis kept Orem in the game by combining to pitch 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and striking out eight Rockies.

After playing from behind the whole game, the Owlz finally tied the score in the bottom of the seventh. Center fielder Santrel Smith led off with a standup double to left-center field. Statia, after twice failing to lay down a sacrifice bunt, ripped a double down the right-field line to score Smith. Even though he beat the throw to second, Statia was called out when he slid past the bag and Casper shortstop Radames Nazario applied the tag.

Wilson took the loss for Orem, dropping his record to 1-2.

The Owlz and Rockies continue their three-game series with game two tonight at 7:05 on the UVSC baseball field in Orem.