Owlz secure Pioneer League South

After falling just short of winning the Pioneer League South Division first-half title, the Orem Owlz did not want to take any chances. On Saturday, they took care of business with time to spare.

League MVP Taylor Lindsey delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning as Orem rallied past the Casper Ghosts, 4-3, to wrap up the second-half division crown.

"Now we can get some people off their feet that need rest," Owlz manager Tom Kotchman said. "Over the next 24 hours, we'll set up out rotation how we'd like it to be in the playoffs. When you win the first half, you already have that luxury."

Orem had an identical 22-16 first-half record as the Ogden Raptors, who were crowned champions by winning a tiebreaker.

"When you arrive here, you're told that every club that has been here has been in the playoffs," said Kotchman, who's managed the Angels' Pioneer League affiliate since 2001. "It's instilled in their heads that Sept. 8 will not be the last game of the season."

Orem has been without slugger C.J. Cron, who suffered a season-ending knee injury early last month, and Jerod Yakubik, the league's leading hitter who's battling a sore wrist.

"You make the most out of the hand you've got. You have no choice," said Kotchman. "The games are scheduled and you have to go out and play. You can't replace those guys, but it gives someone else a chance to play and show what he can do."

Lindsey had the key hit Saturday, snapping a 3-3 tie after the Owlz erased a 3-1 deficit in the seventh.

"It was ironic after he came up in the seventh with a runner on third and one out," Kotchman noted. "They brought in a left-hander and Taylor swung at three breaking balls out of the zone. It was a very uncharacteristic at-bat for him.

"He had two strikes again in his last at-bat, and he lined it into center. He's very impressive for a kid who was in high school last year."

Daniel Reynolds (3-2) allowed a hit and a walk over three innings of scoreless relief for the win.

The Angels' Pioneer League affiliate has made 11 straight postseasons, the last seven as the Owlz. The affiliate played in Provo as the Angels from 2001-04.