Owlz storm back in ninth, beat Raptors

OGDEN — Monday night on Lindquist Field, with the spectacular backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, the Orem Owlz came to play the Ogden Raptors on their home field. Last week when the two teams played in Orem, the Owlz beat the Raptors 13-3, ultimately winning the first series of the year. The Raptors were ready for revenge. Coming off a three game winning streak, Ogden looked like it might have the momentum to pull of a win, but it wasn't to be.

After leading by four for most of the game, the Raptors let victory slip away as the Owlz stormed the ninth inning, scoring seven runs to take the lead and the game.

"Four runs is a lot," Owlz manager Tom Kotchman said, "but the relievers came in and put up zeros. That was the key. They gave us the chance." It was a quick first inning; one hit and three outs to both teams.

The first score of the night came when Ogden's Jamie Pedroza sent Brian Mathews home in the bottom of the second. Esteban Lopez followed up with a double, sending a second runner home. The floodgates were open, and the Raptors scored another four runs before the inning was over.

In the top of the third, Hector Estrella was able to score one run for the Owlz, but the Raptors held them there, with pitcher Doug Brooks delivering two strikeouts. Orem wouldn't allow a repeat of the second inning, shutting down Ogden with three quick outs.

Jerry Gonzalez was able to get a score in for Orem, but Brooks again held the Owlz at one, throwing another two strikeouts. From the bottom of the fourth to the bottom of the eighth the teams were in a defensive deadlock. Ogden's pitching was impeccable, with five strikeouts in five innings. They appeared content to keep the Owlz from scoring with a safe, four-run lead. But the Owlz kept Ogden from scoring as well.

The scoreless streak was finally broken in the top of the ninth when Owl Jay Brossman hit a double, sending DeAndre Miller home, the first player to cross the plate in five innings. Gordie Gronkowski followed up with an RBI. Another hit and another run put the game back into reach for the Owlz, now down 5-6 with only one out.

With a double from Orem's Jeremy Moore the game was tied. With two runners on base, the Owlz were poised to take the lead after being down by four for most of the game. That lead came as Ogden's pitching deteriorated, singles turned into runs. After the Raptors walked a man home, Herrera finally closed the top of the ninth with a throw to first, Owlz up 9-6 after their seven-run scoring spree.

The Raptors desperately needed to make a move to stay in the game. The two quick outs they had didn't look promising. The Raptors were able to get two men on base but a pop-fly to third ended the game, and the Raptors winning streak. "It was a team victory," Kotchman said.

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