Early offense enough for second straight night

 

The Orem Owlz relied on another big first inning to hold off the Billings Mustangs in a 5-4 win. For the second night in a row the Mustangs took a 1st inning lead only to see the Owlz came back in the bottom of the 1st, scoring three runs.  And the Owlz never looked back.

The Owlz Taylor Lindsey played an all star caliber game going 2 for 3 with a walk and scored two runs. He also put his mark on the defensive side of the game.

“There were really a couple key plays tonight, the play that Lindsey made over his head when he stuck out his glove and made that catch was outstanding,” manager Tom Kotchman said.

Frazier Hall also put his bat to good use, driving in three of the Owlz 5 runs. He should have had one more but a monster home run was called back in the bottom of the 4th, a ball that appeared to be fair.

“It makes it tough when your fair poles are not real tall, it’s a tough call for an umpire to make,” Kotchman added.

After the home-run was called back, Hall stepped back into the batters box, shrugged it off, and delivered an RBI double, scoring Taylor Lindsey from second. That turned out to be the difference for the Owlz.

The pitching was not a bright spot for either team in the game. Both starting pitchers lasted no longer than two innings. The first time a pitcher retired the side in order didn’t happen until the top of the 8th when Shane Waller came in and shut the Mustangs hitters down.

Waller had been 0-2 in save opportunities this year going into the 9th with a one run lead. He gave up a base hit to center to start off the inning. Kotchman went out to the mound to talk things over and calm him down. Waller then made a huge double play on a ball hit right back at him. After that he knew he had it, striking out the next batter to get hit first save of the year.