Owls Lose in 11 to Dirtbags on Bad Breaks

By Mark Anderson

Reckling Park, February 16—There’s an old country song that says, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Right now, that seems to be the Owls’ theme song.

Friday night was the perfect example of no luck at all—OK, almost no luck at all. In the fourth inning, the Owls pulled off one of the most unusual triple plays when, with runners on first and second, Espinosa hit a fly ball to right. After Lembeck caught the ball, the Dirtbag version of “Keystone Cops” and “Who’s on First?” ensued. Peterson was doubled off first, and Corder made another base running blunder to get himself tagged out for the third out.

It seemed that the Owls would have the luck this night when the Owls put the first run on the board. Jess Buenger opened with a single, and Joe Savery doubled down the left field line that scored Buenger. But Seastrunk struck out and Lembeck flied out to end the rally, leaving the score 1-0.

But the Dirtbags rallied in the top of the 5th. Jess Buenger bobbled a ground ball from Tinoco to open things up. Tweedy followed with a double that moved Tinoco to third. Masuda was then hit by a Chris Kelley pitch, loading the bases for Cline. His single drove in the tying run, but Luna’s throw nailed Tweedy at home. That commenced one of the longest arguments by Mike Weathers that someone like Lou Pinella or Billy Martin would have been proud of. It actually became so long that Coach Graham actually had a little argument of his own going with the first base umpire, presumably to get the game going again. After the long delay, Perry singled to drive in another run to make the score 2-1, Dirtbags.

In the seventh, it seemed like the Owls had found a little luck. With one out, Lembeck singled. Danny Lehmann doubled to right, sending Lembeck to third. Coach Graham pulled Lehmann for pinch runner Derek Myers. The move paid off when Jared Gayhart stepped to the plate and singled up the middle, scoring both runners, giving the Owls a 3-2 lead.

But a bad break was just around the corner for the Owls—literally and otherwise. Bramhall got two outs quickly, but then Corder doubled down the left field line. After Espinosa walked, Tinoco hit a screeching line drive at Dodson, who had come in as a defensive replacement. As Dodson reached for the ball, the ball went through his glove for an error that scored pinch runner Nelson from second. Normally Dodson makes that play—but got a bad break (literally) at the worst possible time. It also ended Bramhall’s evening, one that he had performed admirably under the circumstances.

Jared Gayhart was brought in to relieve Bramhall. And talk about someone who got a bad break—it was Gayhart. He had driven in the tying and go-ahead runs. And he pitched very well in the very cold conditions, giving up no hits in 2 1/3 innings.

So how was he tagged with a loss?

Remember that pesky guy Ticono? He led off the eleventh with a walk. Gayhart promptly picked him off—only to get a bad break by the umpire calling him safe. If Ticono is out, then the eleventh inning takes on a whole new dimension. Instead, Tweedy followed with another walk. That brought up pinch-hitter A.J. Pinocchio to face Kyle Gunderson. Pinoccchio grounded to short, moving up the lead runner. Matt Cline then grounded to Buenger, who bobbled the ball in order to let the winning run score.

So, without a hit being given up, the winning run scored. Talk about bad luck. . . . that is the epitome of it.

But tomorrow is another day. CUSA pitcher of the week Ryan Berry takes the hill at 2 pm to get the Owls off the schnied and into the win column. It’s supposed to be a much better day, weather wise. Come out and root the Owls on to victory against the Dirtbags.