Owls squeak past HiToms 3-2:Daniel Frey on the CPL Trail

Owls squeak past HiToms 3-2
from Daniel Frey with HiToms Baseball

High Point/Thomasville, N.C. – The Forest City Owls (21-19) have won five of their last six contests after defeating the High Point-Thomasville HiToms (23-17) 3-2 on Friday night. The HiToms are on the opposite spectrum dropping five of their last six games.

Austin Gardner (0-1) made his first start of the season and after cruising through the first two innings he surrendered an RBI double to Connor Grant down the third base line. The next batter, Austin Dennis drove in Grant on a groundout.

Immediately after in the bottom of the third, David Fry drove an RBI single to left cutting the deficit in half 2-1.

With one down and a couple runners on base in the top of the fifth, Dennis brought in another Owl run this time on a sinking single. Gardner did work out of a tough jam including a heads up play by Cesar Trejo throwing home on a groundout to the right side.

Trevor Gay threw two more solid innings in relief in the seventh and eighth to keep the Owls off of the board. On the other hand, Austin Perry (2-1) was fantastic for Forest City only allowing one run in seven innings on four hits while fanning seven hitters.

The HiToms stayed competitive on a solo homer pulled down the left field line by David Sheaffer for his first round tripper of the season. After eight innings, the Owls led 3-2.

Forest City was threatening again in the top of the ninth but with two outs and runners at the corners. Dennis tried to steal second base but was thrown out by Zac Almond behind the dish so the HiToms went to the bottom half with momentum.

When there is a save opportunity, the Owls turn to Chaz Miller who promptly set down the HiToms in order to seal a 3-2 Forest City road victory in his ninth save of the season. The Owls outhit the HiToms 9-6 while playing an error free game.

The HiToms get a quick rematch with Forest City tomorrow night, July 23 at 7:05 p.m. on the road at McNair Field.