Timely Rally Results in End of Losing Streak

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Offensively, NoCo couldn't convert until a crucial eighth inning influx Wednesday night, and that four-run frame finally ended its six-game losing streak.

Entering the eighth, the Owlz (16-25) owned only two hits with runners on base. Three in the eighth alone, two of them extra-base hits, ran up enough runs to right the ship and record a 6-5 win.

The lead change came late in this long Wednesday game. It ended almost five hours after it started thanks to a 79-minute weather delay.

The rain poured on each pitcher's parade, stopping each starter's night. Tanner Schoeninger lasted 2.1 innings and Jack Parisi pitched an even three.

Parisi was pristine until the pause, allowing just a hit and a walk while striking out three. All the Owlz runs came after the starter stepped aside.

But runs escaped them for a while. In both the fourth and the fifth innings, NoCo couldn't bring home a runner from third base. Each time, they inherited him with less than two outs.

Entering the sixth, the Rockies (23-21) carried a three-run lead. That's when NoCo kicked things into gear a bit.

Tim Bouchard and Kevin Higgins hit singles to start the sixth. Then, Ty Lewis let loose deep double, launching to left center his ninth two-bagger this season. When he did, two runs came across, cutting the deficit to one run.

But even then, with Lewis still in scoring position, the Owlz struck out twice to end the inning. Both batters fell behind 0-2 in those at-bats.

Alfredo Villa (L, 1-1) struck out the next three batters, too. Again, more potential runs escaped them, and it looked like another game could too.

By adding insurance runs in the sixth and seventh, Grand Junction grabbed another three-run lead. But top eight turned the tides.

Brandon Crosby chopped a single to center before Bouchard bashed an RBI triple a couple pitches later. Higgins hit him home by drilling a double the very next at-bat. Cameron Phelts flicked a single to right, resulting in a ribbie when Higgins scored. Tie game.

Phelts swiped second base, as he so often does, but when the Rockies attempt to catch him got away, Phelts flew all the way around to score the go-ahead run.

So, in a span of five batters, the Owlz went from mostly leaving runners on base to leaving the six-game losing streak behind.

Because Kyle Adkins (W, 4-0) pitched into that explosive eighth inning, he got credited with the win. After Adkins came Chase Wilkerson, who struck out the only batter he faced to end the eighth. Christian Griffin (S, 3) nailed down the ninth with a pair of punch outs, and he's not 3-for-3 on save opportunities.

Shouts to Schoeninger and Austin Schneider too, who each surrendered runs but still worked pretty well on Wednesday. Schoeninger's stuff resulted in two strikeouts and two walks. He allowed two earned runs on five hits. Schneider may have snapped his season-high scoreless streak, but he fought through four innings following the rain delay and never let this game get out of reach.

NoCo's combo of pitchers stranded 13 Rockies on base, a season-high mark in a single game. So as much as the Owlz missed opportunities, their pitchers made sure Grand Junction came up empty even more.

At the plate, NoCo's 2-3-4 hitters accounted for seven of the squad's 11 hits. Crosby and Bouchard bopped two hits apiece. Higgins had three hits for the second-straight night. Lewis, who batted fifth, led all hitters in the game with two RBI.

Also worth noting: if not for some super defensive displays, the Rockies' run count could've been bigger. In the second, with two Rockies aboard, Phelts flagged down a far fly ball at the wall. He hit the wall, but he hung on to end the inning. In the sixth, Alex Jackson's diving grab down the left field line limited any more runs.

But defense didn't do it alone. A timely rally ruled the day. The pitching staff stood firm. All in all, all three phases got involved and put the Owlz back in the win column.

NoCo can keep the momentum rolling on Thursday. And, boy, would this be a moment for momentum.

First pitch from Suplizio Field is set for 6:35 p.m.