Matthew Moorehead homered three times as Oreogn Tech swept Simpson University in NAIA West baseball action today at Kiger Stadium. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
Oregon Tech Hammers out 39 Hits in Sweep over Simpson
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Matthew Moorehead homered three times and Oregon Tech pounded Simpson University pitching for 39 hits, as the Owls swept by the Redhawks in a NAIA West doubleheader, 23-13 and 13-3, today at Kiger Stadium.
Oregon Tech moved to 13-28 overall and 4-18 in league play, while SU fell to 4-36 and 3-18 in NAIA West action.
Game 1 (OIT 23 vs Simpson 13)
Tech recorded a season-high 26 hits in today’s opener, including nine for extra bases. Loren Cutolo finished with a pair of doubles, Kai Fong drove in five runs and Moorehead recorded two homeruns and four RBI in the 23-13 win.
The Owls managed three big inning with seven runs coming in each of the fourth and eight innings with five coming in the seventh with the game tied at 11-all.
Moorehead led off the fourth inning with a deep blast to left, while Kai Fong drove in two more on a triple. Moorehead recorded another RBI on a single in the inning.
Tech took the lead for good with five runs in the seventh, as Darian Benanua picked up the win tossing the final two frames. Cutolo started things with a leadoff double with Danny Topps driving him home on a single. Moorehead highlighted the inning with a two-run homer, as the Owls took a 16-11 lead into the eighth inning.
Simpson closed to 16-13 with a pair of runs in the eighth, but the Owls followed with seven runs to earn a 23-13 win via the 10-run rule. Colton Hinrickson and Naz Thibodeaux recorded RBI singles in the inning with Cutolo’s RBI double ending the game.
Cutolo recorded two doubles and Hinrickson one with Tops adding a double and triple in the win. Fong tripled and homered with Moorehead recording a pair of homeruns in the 26-hit barrage.
Game 2 – (OIT 13 vs Simpson 3)
John Schulz tossed six innings striking out three and allowing just two runs to move to 3-1 on the season. Evan Johnson doubled twice, Moorehead added his third homerun of the day, to go with a double, and Hinrickson tripled in the win. Moorehead drove in three runs and Alex Antonaras two in the nightcap
Tied 1-1, Oregon Tech scored six unanswered and next outscored SU, 6-2, over the final three frames to win again by the 10-run rule, 13-3.
The Owls and Redhawks conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday.