After falling behind early, the Orem Owlz beat Idaho Falls Chukars 10-9. The Owlz didn’t find their offensive spark until late in the game, when they rallied from behind to steal the victory.
Down, but not out, the Owlz tried to rally back. Chukars pitcher Nathan Johnson walked Owlz leadoff man Jerod Yakubik, then threw a wild pitch, which advanced Yakubik to second. With a runner in scoring position, Brewer hit a one-hopper back to Johnson, who overthrew first base and Yakubik advanced to third.
Trevor Hairgrove lined to left field. scoring Yakubik to win the game.
“Trevor’s parents where in the stands today” Kotchman said, “He got the game winning hit.”
Aaron Meade had a rocky start to the game. Leadoff hitter Tyler Chism bunted down the third baseline to reach first. Michael Liberto was walked. Chukars third baseman Daniel Mateo then drove the ball down the third base line to set up a potential double play, but Owlz third base man Kaleb Cowart threw short to first. Cowart was charged with an error.
“You can’t score seven runs in an inning. You have to chip away at the lead.” — Owlz manager Tom Kotchman
After intentionally walking Dean Espy to load the bases, Meade was able to get Moreno to hit a short hopper to Meade, who completed the 1-2-3 double play.
Idaho Falls got on the board in the third inning when Henry Mateo popped to deep right field, scoring Justin Fradejas 1-0. Dean Espy followed with a three-run blast to deep left center, making the score 4-0.
Aaron Meade continued to struggle in the fourth inning as the Chukars demonstrated a hitting clinic, while Cowart had a rough fourth inning, committing two errors in the fourth.
Leadoff man Runey Davis reached base on Cowart’s first error on the inning. Aaron Meade walked Justin Fradejas, then Michael Liberto’s one-hopper to Cowart was bobbled, loading the bases. Daniel Mateo’s sacrifice fly scored Runey Davis 5-0.
“I just tried to put it all behind me” Cowart said.
Dean Espy’s shallow fly to center dropped safe amidst a confused Owlz defenseand Espy advanced to second with no one covering the base, scoring Fradejas.
That was the last batter Meade would face for the night.
Owlz reliever Kris Marshal threw a wild pitch, scoring Liberto and making it a 7-0 deficit. Marshal got out of the inning with Edul Escobar’s pop fly to center.
The Owlz got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Abel Baker’s single to second was bobbled by Adrian Martinez. Frazier Hall reached base on a fielders choice. Chukars pitcher Moen threw a wild pitch, advancing Hall to second. Jerod Yakubik RBI single then scored Hall to start the rally.
“You can’t score seven runs in an inning,” Kotchman said. ““You have to chip away at the lead.”
The Owlz powder keg offense exploded in the bottom of the sixth inning. The hits started with Kaleb Cowart’s single, who was later batted in by Yakubik. Gary Mitchell then hit a three-run blast to left center, making it 7-5.
In the eighth inning, Ryan Jones singled, C.J Cron singled to left and another Kaleb Cowart single loaded the bases for Frazier Hall, who hit a base clearing triple to tie the game at 8-8.
“Everyone else did the work for me,” Hall said, “I just got the credit.”
Reliever Joe Melloris came into pitch the eighth inning and pitched a solid two-thirds of an inning, only giving up a hit.
In the bottom of the eighth Frazier Hall was again at bat with the bases loaded. His hit to third scored Jones. giving the Owlz their first lead at 9-8.
Owlz closer Shane Waller gave up a solo home run to Dean Espy in the top of the ninth, tying the game at 9-9.
