Two-Out Rallies Result in Owlz’ Wednesday Win

September 1, 2022 – Pioneer League (PL) – Northern Colorado Owlz News Release

JOHNSTOWN, Colo. — NoCo knocked timely hits all night to punctuate its penultimate homestand with another win over Rocky Mountain.

The Owlz (15-24) scored six of its nine runs with two outs. Six of its nine hits were extra-base hits. All that action led to a 9-6 Wednesday win.

But before they really dug in, they had to dig themselves out of a hole.

The Vibes (19-19) battled Will Buraconak right off the bat. After just one half inning, thanks to two 10-plus pitch at-bats, he’d thrown 38 pitches. At the end of three innings, he’d thrown 93 of them.

He’d also allowed five earned runs, seven hits, and three walks. Buraconak did fan four, though, growing his team-leading K count to 82 on the season.

When the lefty left the game, Rocky Mountain maintained a 5-0 lead. His teammates took him off the hook in the third.

In that frame, Owlz found their first hit. They also found their first five runs. Four of them came with two outs.

Marshall Rich reached after a looping liner into right, the birds’ first base knock. Then Alex Jackson walked to put two aboard. When Cameron Phelts pelted one up the middle and reached on a throwing error, Owlz packed the sacks.

That gave way to Abdel Guadalupe’s dribbler, which drove in Rich for run number one. Bases still loaded, Brandon Crosby coaxed an RBI walk. Dakota Popham cleared the bases by bashing a three-run double the next at-bat.

NoCo knotted things up, 5-5, but it didn’t stay that way for long. The Vibes retook the lead when former Owl Mike Annone notched his 10th RBI of the series. He singled in his squad’s sixth run of the ballgame.

That’s all it would get. From there, the birds’ bullpen shut it down while the birds’ batters shuttled in some key runs.

The next ones came in the fifth. Rich rocketed a two-run triple to give his team the lead for good. That triple touched down with two outs in the inning.

In the sixth, Guadalupe and Bouchard boomed back-to-back doubles. Bouchard’s became of the RBI variety when Guadalupe came around to score.

Phelts slammed an solo shot for some insurance in the eighth. The center fielder’s fired off a big fly in three of the last four games, giving him seven homers on the season.

As all those hits were happening, the hurlers were hucking heat. CJ Grant-Debose (W, 1-1) allowed only one hit, that RBI single from Annone. Other than that, nada. He struck out three of the 12 batters he faced and issued just one walk.

Kyle Adkins added a pair of punch outs to his ledger. He allowed three hits but no earned runs in his team-leading 35th appearance this season.

When Christian Griffin (S, 8) came out for the ninth, he faced his first save opportunity in more than two weeks. And he delivered, dicing up three-straight Vibes to the tune of two strikeouts and a routine lineout.

With the dub, NoCo claimed a winning record in the homestand. After besting Grand Junction in the three-game series, it split this four-game set with Rocky Mountain.

Overall, the Owlz have won four of their last six games, great momentum to carry down I-25 for the final road trip of the season. That series in Springs will consist of three games, starting on Thursday.

Robby Bales and the boys will be back for one final homestand starting on Monday. You might know it as Labor Day. Due to a recent schedule change, that game will start at 1:05 p.m.

Spend your holiday with the hooters! Snag yourself a seat today!

In the meantime, follow along on social media while the Owlz are away. Thursday’s first pitch from UC Health Park in Colorado Springs is set for 6:30 p.m.

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