Orem scores early and often in first game of three-game set
Kyle McDonald | Sports writer | @kylesportsbias
Photo credit: Gabi Campbell | Art Director | @gabicampbellphotos
OREM, Utah — The Orem Owlz pounded out fourteen hits and scored in six of eight at-bats to defeat the Missoula Osprey 11-3 on Monday evening at Brent Brown Ballpark.
The win moves the Owlz record to 7-4 in the second half of the season and 31-18 overall in the Pioneer League. Missoula drops to 6-5 in the second half and 29-18 overall.
After surrendering a run in the top of the first inning, the Owlz responded in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run double by Jeff Boehm that scored Juan Moreno and Michael Pierson to make it 2-1.
The Osprey tied the game up in the top of the third on a solo home run by Kal Simmons to make it 2-2. It was the first home run of the summer for Simmons.
Orem responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs of their own to take the lead for good. Sam Koenig led off the inning with a single to right and scored three batters later on a Tanner Lubach sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Alex Abbott, who singled earlier in the inning, stole home to make it 4-2. Moreno singled home Ranyelmy Alberto with a two-out single to right field and put the tally at 5-2 for the Owlz.
After the Osprey scored a single run in the top of the fifth, Orem tacked on two more runs. Jared Foster scored on a Boehm single to center field and Boehm later scored on a two-out by Abbott to make it 7-3.
The Owlz put a single run on the board in the sixth and seventh innings and then added on two more in the bottom of the eighth to put the final tally at 11-3.
Six Owlz had multi-hit games and Jeff Boehm drove in four runs on the night. The Owlz also stole seven bases on the night with Foster, Abbott and Alberto each picking up two stolen bases each.
Aaron Cox picked up his second win of the summer on the mound for the Owlz as he tossed 2.0 innings and gave up one run on three hits while striking out two and walking one.
Anfernee Benitez took the loss on the mound for the Osprey as he gave up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits over 4.2 innings of work. He also struck out four and walked four.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday night for the second game of a three-game series. First pitch is slated for 7:15 MT at Brent Brown Ballpark.
