Frank Charlton Pitched Oregon Tech to South Title (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Clinches South Title
REDDING, CA. – For the second time in as many years the Oregon Tech men’s baseball team has clinched the South Division Title of the NAIA West. Tech earned the title and an automatic bid the NAIA West Regional Tournament with a split Sunday at Simpson University winning game 2, 10-4. Tech Lost game 1 Sunday by a final of 8-5 but won the season series from Simpson winning 7 of the 8 games.
Oregon Tech is now 17-10 in Conference play and 25-21 overall and will wrap up its regular season on the road the next 2 weekends playing at No. 4 University of British Columbia in Vancouver B.C. on April 24th and 25th and at No. 1 Lewis & Clark State on April 30th and May 1st in Lewiston, ID before playing in the NAIA West Regional Tournament that will be played May 6th thru May 8th at the team rated the highest in the final NAIA Coaches Poll.
In game 1, Simpson turned a 5-2 deficit into an 8-5 win, scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on 5 hits. Simpson was led on offense by Rico Adams who had 3 hits and 4 RBI in 4 at bats with Pitcher Kris Warner picking up the win.
Oregon Tech was led by Zach Earle who scored 2 runs and had 2 RBI including his 8th Homerun of the season. Jody Potter picked up the loss allowing 4 runs on 2 hits in just 2/3 of an inning.
Game 2 saw Oregon Tech bust out to a 9-0 lead through the first 7 ½ innings behind timely hitting and fantastic pitching from starter Frank Charlton who allowed only 4 hits through the first 7innings. Charlton struggled in the 8th giving up 4 runs on 3 hits but picked up his 6th win of the season as Tech went on to win 10-4.
Phil Sacks had 4 hits in the game with 3 RBI with Cory Spires adding 3 hits and 2 RBI. Trent Smith cracked his 2nd homerun of the season and finished the day with 2 hits and 2 runs scored.