Witherspoon's two homers lift Owlz to come-back win
(September 10, Ogden, UT) - Travis Witherspoon homered twice and drove in all four Orem runs as the Owlz came from behind to beat the Ogden Raptors 4-3 at Lindquist Field Thursday night. Heading into Friday's regular season finale, the Raptors have now lost a season-high five consecutive games.
A night after a humiliating 17-1 defeat, the Raptors were much crisper Thursday. Edwin Contreras delivered one of his strongest starts of the season, firing 5.2 innings while allowing just one run. He struck out five and did not walk anyone.
Contreras left with a 3-1 lead, turning it over to fellow righty Javier Solano. Ogden had scored twice in the second inning on a Nick Akins RBI single and a Kyle Orr run-scoring double.
After Witherspoon's solo blast to straight-away center in the top of the fifth, his fifth of the season, Akins answered with a shot of his own in the bottom half. The Raptors had a chance to add another run, but Pedro Guerrero was thrown out at third base on Brian Cavazos-Galvez' single for the third out of the inning moments before David Iden touched home. The missing run would cost the Raptors.
Solano walked Daniel Eichelberger to open the seventh inning before Witherspoon stepped up again. This time he roped a drive out to left-center, knotting the score at three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Eichelberger singled off of Steve Ames (0-1), then stole second base. Witherspoon followed with an RBI single to center that proved to be the game-winner.
The Raptors threatened in the bottom of the ninth, getting the first two runners aboard. Akins then popped up on a bunt attempt, and Orr rapped into a double-play to end the ball-game.
The regular season concludes Friday night, as Ogden and Orem meet again before the post-season opens in Orem Saturday. With its twentieth loss of the half, Ogden is guaranteed a losing record in the second half. The Owlz improved to 31-6 with their win, setting a new league record for victories in a half.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
A night after a humiliating 17-1 defeat, the Raptors were much crisper Thursday. Edwin Contreras delivered one of his strongest starts of the season, firing 5.2 innings while allowing just one run. He struck out five and did not walk anyone.
Contreras left with a 3-1 lead, turning it over to fellow righty Javier Solano. Ogden had scored twice in the second inning on a Nick Akins RBI single and a Kyle Orr run-scoring double.
After Witherspoon's solo blast to straight-away center in the top of the fifth, his fifth of the season, Akins answered with a shot of his own in the bottom half. The Raptors had a chance to add another run, but Pedro Guerrero was thrown out at third base on Brian Cavazos-Galvez' single for the third out of the inning moments before David Iden touched home. The missing run would cost the Raptors.
Solano walked Daniel Eichelberger to open the seventh inning before Witherspoon stepped up again. This time he roped a drive out to left-center, knotting the score at three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Eichelberger singled off of Steve Ames (0-1), then stole second base. Witherspoon followed with an RBI single to center that proved to be the game-winner.
The Raptors threatened in the bottom of the ninth, getting the first two runners aboard. Akins then popped up on a bunt attempt, and Orr rapped into a double-play to end the ball-game.
The regular season concludes Friday night, as Ogden and Orem meet again before the post-season opens in Orem Saturday. With its twentieth loss of the half, Ogden is guaranteed a losing record in the second half. The Owlz improved to 31-6 with their win, setting a new league record for victories in a half.
First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.