No Comeback Three-peat as Vibes Lose 12-9

By Tyler Petersen

GREELEY, Colo.  – The Rocky Mountain Vibes scored the final four runs of the game but it was not enough to complete a third comeback in three days as they fell to the Northern Colorado Owlz 12-9.

Offense continues to reign supreme early on in the second half. The Vibes were able to take an early lead – Mike Annone, Nick Michaels, and Cesar Lopez brought in four in the third – and led 4-2.

But then the Owlz bats came alive in a big way. Over the next three innings 10 NoCo batters made the 360-foot trip around the big ol' rhombus on the field. Six RBI singles, two RBI doubles, and a two-run home run for Alex Jackson. Eight of the runs came off starter Brock Knoten (seven earned) and the other four went to the line of Felipe Rodriguez. After the fifth inning, the Owlz led 12-5.

The last few days have proved this Vibes team is not intimitaded by a late deficit.

Andrew Hanson hit his first professional home run, a deep shot to left field, to bring the score to 12-6. Annone brought in another run in the inning on a fielder's choice, 12-7. Two more runs came in the seventh – it was a 12-9 game.

Then the eighth began. Could we have another fateful eighth? Luis Navarro led the inning off with a walk. Maybe there was more late mojo. But the next batter Annone grounded into a double play and Michaels lined out after him.

Christian Griffin shut the door in the ninth for his fourth save for the Owlz.

Both teams are now 2-2 in the second half. For the Vibes through 50 games, they are 17-33.

The series continues tomorrow with another 4:05 pm start.