Pioneer League playoffs: Owlz eliminate Raptors

OGDEN — The Orem Owlz held on to beat arch-rival Ogden 7-4 in Game 2 of the Pioneer League first-round playoffs.

It was the seventh South Division title for the Orem Owlz/Provo Angels franchise.

First baseman Dillon Baird started Orem off on the right foot with a solo home run in the first inning. However, Carlos Ramirez's two-run shot in the ninth inning provided the final nail in the coffin.

Ogden, trying to force a decisive Game 3, took a 3-1 lead in the third inning on Brian Cavazos-Galvez's two-run home run. Orem took the lead right back, thanks to Travis Witherspoons' clutch double. He drove in Michael Wing and Justin Bass with his hit to right field.

The Raptors — who outhit the Owlz 11-7 — had the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth, but could only come up with one run. Austin Yount grounded into a double play and Brian Ruggiano lined out to end the season for the Raptors.

Orem will go for its fourth league title when it takes on either Great Falls or Missoula in a three-game series that begins on Wednesday.