Skinner Heroics Help Earn Split With Concordia
KLAMATH FALLS, Oregon (March 22, 2008)—Oregon Tech’s Taylor Skinner hit two homeruns in the nightcap, his second a walk off, to help earn a split in conference action over Concordia University today in Klamath Falls.
Game one saw Tech come from behind and eventually tie the game at 5-5 in the fifth inning, but the Cavaliers would plate six unanswered runs to pull away, 11-5 in the opener.
The Cavs Ben Lanier was 2-3 with a homerun and four RBI followed with two RBI from Ryan Sussenguth. Bret Hawley picked up the win and moved to 2-4.
Oregon Tech got two hits each from Trent Smith and Lee Eklund, with Ekland driving in two OIT runners. Chad Trevisan was the losing pitcher and dropped to 0-1 on the mound.
Both teams’ bats came alive in the nightcap, with Tech again coming from behind, but this time picking up the win 13-11.
Oregon Tech jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but saw it evaporate when CU scored four runs in the top of the third to take a 4-3 lead. Tech tacked on three more runs in the bottom half of the third to jump back on top 6-4. CU would score four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to go up 10-6. Sean Teaters would start a rally in the sixth, with a solo shot over the center field wall that began a five run inning. Kenny Simmons continued with a three run blast, to tie it at 10 each and Bryan Barrington knocked in Ryson Mauricio with the go ahead run, making it 11-10 Tech.
Concordia tied the game at 11-11 in the top of the eight on a Sean Mcleod RBI sacrifice fly with Tech going scoreless in their half. CU went empty in the ninth to set the stage for Skinner. Teaters singled up the middle to begin the inning, his third hit of the game, and when Taylor Skinner connected on a 2-1 fastball, there was no doubt the game was over. The walk-off homer gave Tech the 13-11 victory, picking up their second conference win of the season.
CU’s Roberto Reyes was 3-6 and drove in four runs in game two with Casey McLeod picking up two hits and driving in three Cavaliers, including a homerun. Sean Strachan also got three base hits going 3-5 for CU.
Bryan Barrington was 3-6 on the day including two RBI. Sean Teaters was 4-5 in the double-header including a homerun. Taylor Skinner was 2-4 in game two with two homeruns, including his game winner in the ninth and drove in three Owls. Frank Drake got two hits in the late game and Kenny Simmons plated three OIT batters with his three run dinger in the sixth.
Tech will host Cal-Pac rival Simpson University in a three game non-league series beginning Wednesday 3/26 with a single nine inning game starting at 1:30 PM. The game scheduled to be played at the Steen Sports Complex if field conditions improve.