Owls Split on Home Opener

3/30/2018 6:42:00 PM

Matthew Munhall

Klamath Falls, Ore. – Oregon Tech splits on day one of their home opener weekend against Corban University in NAIA West play. Corban picks up the win in game one with a score of 12-5, while Tech picks up the win in game two with a mercy rule score of 12-2 in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Game One:
The day started out with strong pitching from both teams, seeing each team give up just 1 run a piece through the first three innings. The Warriors opened up the scoring in the 2^nd inning, as Daniel Freiburger led off with a double, followed by a stolen base and being driven across the plate by Jarett Thoren. The Owls responded in the bottom of the 3^rd, with Ryan Riepma lining a single and working his way around the diamond, to be driven on a deep shot to center field by Josh Kallstrom.
In the bottom of the 4^th inning, the Owls rallied once more bringing two runs home. A leadoff hit by Alex Poltz, and Justin Jordan being hit by a pitch, a tough driven ball to the Corban shortstop by Matthew Del Fante, would see an error on the throw at first base, advancing the runners an additional base; Poltz scoring. A SAC fly to center field by Austin Florez, brought home Jordan from 3^rd base, putting the home team up 3-1.
The 5^th inning provided action by both teams, as the visiting Warriors scored 3 runs. With Warriors loading the bases, a ball lost in the sun saw 2 runs score. An additional single sent home a third run in the inning with the lead changing hands and the score 4-3. The Owls would tie up the contest with 1 run in the bottom of the inning, as Austin Zavala brought home Josh Kallstrom from second base on a deep single to center field. The score leveled at 4-4 heading into the top of the 6^th inning.

After no runs scored for either team in the 6^th inning, both teams added one additional run in the 7^th inning. Corban's Josh Ebert scored on a SAC fly to right field by Maxwell Jeffrey for their single tally. Tech, in similar fashion also scored on a SAC fly by Josh Kallstrom to right field, bringing home Blake Wrotenbery. The score still level at 5-5.

The Warriors found their bats again in the 8^th and 9^th innings, driving in 7 more runs, while holding the Owls scoreless. The final score ended 5-12.
 
Game Two:
In the second game of the day, the Warriors opened up the contest with a 2 run homer to left-center field by Ben Ross, bringing home Ethan Bragg from second base.
The Owls responded in the bottom of the 2^nd inning with a home run of their own. Stepping to the plate with runners on first and second, Emmett Covello hit the first pitch tossed to him over the right-center wall, bringing in 3 RBIs and putting the home team ahead 3-2.

Keeping the bats connecting, Tech added three more runs in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. Micah Jio started it off with a single, while two wild pitches advanced him to third base. The next three batters, Josh Kallstrom, Austin Zavala and Alex Poltz would all hit doubles, driving the run in the runner before them. Ryan Riepma would be the last batter to connect, with another double, sending Poltz home, as the inning came to an end, the score 7-2.

After an inning off from scoring, the Owls once again found their offense, putting up 4 additional runs to their score on four singles and a triple, while batting through the order in the inning. The score at 11-2 for the home team.

In the bottom of the 8^th inning the Owls ended the game early of two deep smashes. Pinch hitter, Michael Tarakhchyan, ripped a ball down the right field line for a double. Senior transfer, Justin Jordan, while hitless in game one of the day, stepped to the plate and hit a long driven ball deep to left field that sent Tarakhchyan home, for a 10 run mercy rule walk-off victory. The final score 12-2.

For the Owls, Chase Wago picks up the win on the mound pitching all 8 innings, allowing just 3 hits, facing 29 batters, while retiring 6 of them and giving up just 3 base on balls. His teammates all saw at least one hit in the game, with Justin Jordan, Austin Zavala and Josh Kallstrom picking up 3 hits each.

With the wins split, the Warriors move to 10-7 in the NAIA West, while Tech moves to 5-11. The two teams will face off again on Saturday, with the first contest starting at 11:00am at Kiger Stadium in Klamath Falls.