Moates, Graham Lead Owls to CCC Sweep over Beacons
Happy Valley Ore – Oregon Tech’s Ali Graham had a heck of day for the Owls. The freshman from Chehalis, Washington hit two home runs including a Grand Slam and she also pitched the first 6 of 7 innings as the Owls threw a combined no hitter against the Beacons in an 8-0 game 2 win to complete the Cascade Conference double header sweep, after OIT won game one, 10-2 at Hood View Park.
Oregon Tech combined for 21-hits and 18-runs in the two games to improve to 5-1 in CCC play and 10-11 overall. Tara Moates had 6-hits in 8 at bats, including 2-home runs, a double, and 6-RBI.
The Owls will host the University of British Columbia Friday and Northwest University on Saturday in its home openers. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 2:00 pm with Saturday’s double header scheduled for an 11:00 am start.
In game 1, OIT took the early lead as Tara Moates hit her third home run of the season, a towering shot to give the Owls a 2-0 lead in the 1
st inning.
Tech took command of the game in the 2
nd inning scoring 3-runs on 4-hits, highlighted by a Tre Sullivan RBI double, giving the Owls a 5-0 lead.
Tech made it a 6-0 game as Graham hit a solo home run, her second of the season, in the top of the 3
rd.
Northwest Christian answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the 3
rd on 2-hits to make it 6-1.
Tech broke the game open in the top of the 4
th with 4-runs on 4-hits highlighted by a Cassidy Hoglund 3-run home run, her 3
rd round tripper of the year.
Ashlee Cole led off the bottom of the 4
th with her 9
th home run of the season for the Beacons however, Northwest Christian was not able to score any more runs and the game ended on Mercy Rule after 5 innings 10-2.
Ann-Marie Guischer improved to 5-4 on the year as she picked up the win in the circle for OIT.
Moates had 3-hits to the lead the Owl offense with Katie Virtue and Alyssa Davis adding 2-hits each.
Anita Singh led Northwest Christian with 2-hits on the day.
In game 2, it was all about Tech’s Ali Graham as she pitched 6-innings of no-hit softball, only allowing two base runners, both on walks.
At the plate, Graham picked up 2-hits, including her first career grand slam.
Tech took the early 1-0 lead as Moates hit an RBI double. Moates then led off the 4
th inning with her team leading 4
th home run of the season to give the Owls a 2-0 lead. OIT would add one more run in the inning to take a 3-0 lead.
That score would hold until the top of the 7
th inning when OIT broke the game open with 5-runs on the grand slam by Graham to take an 8-0 lead.
Tech’s Kelly Scott retired the Beacons in order in the 7
th to preserve to the combined no-hitter for Graham and the Hooter.
Moates once again led Owls offensively with 3-hits.
Northwest Christian falls to 7-19 on the year and 3-5 in CCC play and will next head to Eastern Oregon of Friday and College of Idaho on Saturday.