Owlz Stay Hot In Opener With Rockies

Picking up where they left off in Idaho Falls to Grand Junction, the Owlz (35-30, 13-14) jumped out to an early lead and used a complete pitching effort to defeat the Rockies (30-34, 14-12) by a final of 9-3.

After scoring five runs in the top of the ninth against the Chukars on Saturday, the Owlz opened up with three runs in the first -- highlighted by RBI hits from Zach Gibbons, John Schuknecht, and Jack Kruger. Owlz starting pitcher Sam Pastrone responded to the run support with a scoreless bottom of the first.

Orem was also agressive on the bases, stealing four bases in the first three innings. They also took advantage of Grand Junction's mistakes. The Owlz added two in the third thanks to a wild pitch and an error to mark the score at 5-0.

Three more runs came in the fourth after Gibbons brought in Jose Rojas (who tripled) with a single, Kruger also brought in Gibbons with a single, and Keith Grieshaber added another RBI single to score Nick Flair. An 8-0 lead through four innings was plenty of support for the Owlz pitching staff.

Pastrone would go two more innings while only allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three. Then, Ariel Ovando worked the sixth inning but allowed a two-out run to score. That would be it for the Rockies as Greg Belton worked two scoreless innings and Tyler Warmoth retired the side in order in the ninth.

Not to be ignored, Schuknecht added one more run for the Owlz in a massive way - a no-doubt solo blast to left field for his fifth homer as an Owl aready. The 9-3 win puts the Owlz just two games back of Ogden for first place in the second half with 11 games to go.

Next, the second game of the eight-game series begins at 7:05 MDT in Grand Junction with Owlz' righty Travis Herrin taking the mound, countered by Rockies' lefty Ty Culbreth.