Owlz Provide Fireworks in 13-5 Win

On a night that ended with celebratory fireworks at the ballpark, the Owlz supplied fire power from the very beginning of the ball game, taking a 9-run lead in the first inning and never looking back.
The Owlz rallied 16 hits on the night en route to a 13-5 victory over the Grand Junction Rockies to close out a five-game home stand that ended with the Owlz going 3-2.
The game was played on 4th of July Celebration Night at the Home of the Owlz, in front of a season-high 4,422 fans who stayed to watch the Owlz win their Pioneer League best tenth game of the season.
Brandon Sandoval got the pot brewing for the Owlz in their season-best nine-run first inning, with a line drive single that scored Leonardo Rivas off of second base, making the score 1-0.
After Jonah Todd advanced to third on a throwing error by the left fielder Joey Bartosic, he ended up scoring on Keinner Piña's 5-3 groundout that made the score 2-0. 
Owlz first baseman Franklin Torres then picked up his first hit of the night--a single that scored Sandoval off of third base, making the score 3-0. 
Owlz second baseman Matt McCann then joined in on the frenzy with a line drive double that traced the left foul line, scoring Torres and making the score 4-0.
The score then became 5-0 after Owlz designated hitter Franklin Navarro scored on an error committed by Rockies second baseman Shael Mendoza. Mendoza couldn't handle a pickoff throw to second base from Rockies starting pitcher Jorge Oviedo
Grand Junction ended up prolonging the Owlz' nine-run first inning by committing three errors, out of four total on the night. 
When the top of the order came back up with two outs in the inning, shortstop Leonardo Rivas kept the train moving with a single that scored McCann, making the score 6-0.
Owlz right fielder Ryan Vega then reached base for the first time, being hit by a pitch while the bases were loaded to make the score 7-0.
The inning then came full-circle as Brandon Sandoval--who began the inning with an RBI single, scored the Owlz' eigth and ninth runs with another base hit that made the score 9-0.
Owlz starting pitcher Tyler Carpenter was sharp on the night, allowing just one run on three hits in four innings of work. 
The lone run allowed by Carpenter was a solo home run off the bat of Rockies third baseman Jeff Moberg that made the score 9-1.
The Owlz then broke back onto the scoreboard when Ryan Vega took the first pitch pitch he saw in the third inning deep to left-center field for a two-run homer. The two-run shot was Vega's first of the season, and it made the score 11-1.
The top of the order continued to wreak havoc in the middle innings of the game, as Jonah Todd and Ryan Vega led off the fifth inning with back-to-back hits. Vega and Todd then ended up scoring on back-to-back groundouts by Brandon Sandoval and Keinner Pina, making the score 13-1.
Owlz relief pitcher Mayky Perez put in strong work during the middle innings of the game, allowing just one run on four hits in three innings of work.
The lone run allowed by Perez was scored on Alan Trejo's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning that made the score 13-2.
Perez' first inning pitched was the fifth, qualifying him to pick up his second win of the season, which ties him for the team lead with left-handed pitcher James Ziemba.
Three more runs ended up coming home for Grand Junction in the eigth inning, all charged to Owlz relief pitcher Edrick Agosto, who was only able to record one out in giving up three runs on three hits and one walk.
Agosto was relieved by left-handed pitcher Kevin Grendell. Grendell ended up closing out the ballgame, pitching one and a third scoreless innings without allowing a hit.
Grendell induced a game-ending double play in the ninth inning, driving the Owlz to their tenth win of the season and giving way to a post-game fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day.
With the win the Owlz advance to 10-5 on the year, continuing to lead the Pioneer League South standings over the Ogden Raptors by two games.
The Owlz will continue their 7-game series with the Grand Junction Rockies on Tuesday night, playing the first of four games on the road in Grand Junction.
First pitch at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction is scheduled for 6:00 MT, with Owlz right-handed pitcher Christopher Molina penciled in to face Rockies right-handed pitcher Justin Valdespina.
Follow every pitch of the action by tuning in to the Orem Owlz Baseball Network with the Voice of the Owlz, Steven Cusumano, every game 15 minutes prior to first pitch.