Owlz streaking to the finish

It all started with a win over the Idaho Falls Chukars on Aug. 5 and has continued for over two weeks. After finishing third behind Ogden and Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League South Division’s first-half standings, the Owlz have ripped off a season-long winning streak to put them in command of the division race. Orem had won 12 games in a row as of Aug. 19 and propelled themselves into first place in the division with about three weeks to go in the season.

With a playoff spot up for grabs, the Ogden Raptors having locked up a spot already, Orem has done its job to put itself a front-runner to secure the second half of the season and another playoff appearance for the franchise. The Owlz have perennially advanced to the playoff and won the Pioneer League Championship two seasons ago.

Orem has outscored their opponents 96-39 throughout the 12 game-winning streak including an 18-3 thrashing of the Ghosts on Aug. 6 and a 13-4 win over the Missoula Osprey on Aug. 11. In their 18-run spook over the Ghosts, the Owlz turned in a record 23 hits to pace them to the victory.

“When the whole team is hitting like that it really feels good,” said catcher Carlos Ramirez of the hitting barrage. “The team’s happy and running great.”

That win has been indicative of the team as a whole as they have made their run through the Pioneer League. The momentum of the blowout wins have helped them eke out the close games as well. A 1-0 win over the Ghosts on Aug. 7 came on a ninth inning rally.

As the season winds to an end, the Owlz will look to make a run in the playoff as the hottest team in the league. Orem hopes to ride this hot streak all the way to the Pioneer League Championship.