Justus plates career-high five runs for Owlz

Connor Justus seems to have gotten a handle on this pro baseball thing.

The Angels infield prospect went 4-for-6 with a career-high five RBIs and two runs scored Monday to lead Rookie-level Orem past Billings, 16-7.

Justus singled to left field and scored on Jose Rojas' sacrifice fly in the first inning. The 21-year-old shortstop hit a two-run single to right in the second and then a two-RBI double to left as part of a six-run seventh for the Owlz. He capped his day with a run-scoring single to left in the ninth.

"The guys behind me were protecting me all night, those guys are awesome," Justus said. "They've been on fire lately and I just took advantage of the opportunities given me. I was just trying to see something up. I got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it. Thankfully, it fell down the left-field line."

In his 25th game since being drafted in the fifth round, Justus blew past previous career highs of three RBIs and three hits. The Georgia native admits he's thrilled to have the chance to play professionally.

"It's pretty cool," Justus said. "It's an honor to play at such a high level. I just try to do the most to help the team win. It was fun. It's something I can call my parents and be excited about. But tomorrow is a new day. None of that matters tomorrow. You have to look forward to the next day and try to keep this thing going."

The Georgia Tech University product has started quickly for the Owlz. He's batting .348 and stands tied for fifth in the Pioneer League with 23 RBIs. He is also tied for third with 17 walks while striking out 18 times.

"The game's just faster," Justus said. "You play in front of a couple thousand of people a night. It's every day. It's definitely a grind, but it's so much fun. That's the thing you have to take out of it. It is a game and it is your job now. It's so much fun to go out and play the game you love.

"The biggest adjustment is the speed of the game. Trying to take everything one pitch at a time, one at-bat at a time and piece together some good games, and hopefully, one day be in the big leagues."

Rojas tripled and finished with three RBIs, while Trey Montgomery reached base five times and scored twice for Orem.

Owlz starter Nate Bertness (4-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings.

Alejo Lopez plated a pair of runs for the Mustangs.

Billings' Moises Nova (0-4) surrendered four runs -- one earned -- on four hits and three walks in 1 2/3 frames.