Six-Run Eighth Causes NoCo's Late Loss

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Owlz offense let loose again, but by letting go of a late lead, they lost this 16-14 midweek marathon.

For the second straight night, the birds of prey brought their bats to play. The Owlz (1-1) actually scored more runs than they did against the Vibes (1-1) on Tuesday. It's the first time they've scored 12-plus runs in consecutive games this season. Not to mention it's the first time they've scored double-digit runs in back-to-back games since June 11 and 12.

NoCo tied its season-high mark in hits with 19, which it set on Tuesday. All but one starter contributed at least one RBI, and five of them managed multi-hit performances

Most of all, they made use of what made their first half successful: triples and stolen bases. The Owlz tallied four triples, their most in any game this season. All four scored runs, probably because six swiped bags placed plenty of runners in scoring position.

Their position wasn't a promising one for a second, though.

In the second, Tanner Schoeninger's start went sideways. He suffered a fast five-spot and his squad suddenly saw a five-run deficit.

But NoCo cut away at it by scoring runs in each of the next five innings. That action set them up to take a 11-10 lead in the sixth on Cameron Phelts insane near-inside-the-park home run.

A run-scoring single extended the Owlz advantage in the seventh, giving them a 12-10 lead entering the eighth.

It turned out to be short-lived lead.

Austin Schneider surrendered two leadoff hits before Chase Wilkerson (L, 0-1) spelled him. Wilkerson whipped up a quick K to start his outing before a walk-single-walk combo brought home two and tied the game.

At that point, it appeared manager Robby Bales signaled the end of Wilkerson's work. Reliever Ben Strahm even ran out of the bullpen, well onto the field of play, expecting to pitch.

But he never did.

Wilkerson remained on the rubber, and it resulted in a blown save and his first loss this season. Although he struck out the side in the eighth, he gave up five hits, issued four walks, and gave up six runs that changed the trajectory of the game.

The Owlz did deposit two more runs in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough.

This wild Wednesday was enough to be any Pioneer League fan's fever dream. Collectively, these South Division rivals thumped 37 hits in 85 at-bats. They totaled 12 extra-base hits and 10 multi-hit performances.

The Vibes saw three of its hitters hang four or more RBI.

For NoCo, Alex Jackson jolted his group from the get-go. He smacked a single on the first pitch of the game, his first of an Owlz season-high five hits in the game. Kevin Higgins hammered out three hits for a second-straight game, good for his 21^st multi-hit game this season. Matthew Turner, Cameron Phelts, and Euro Diaz each reached with a hit twice in this one. Between those five, you can find nine of the Owlz 13 RBI.

Been a bonkers last couple contests offensively. Maybe things will come back down to earth when these two meet for the series finale on Thursday.

Or, maybe they won't. Who knows? It is the Pioneer League, after all.

First pitch for Thursday's game three in Springs is set for 6:30 p.m.