OGDEN — The Orem Owlz, one would assume, have at this point had quite enough of the Ogden Raptors.
Here’s to hoping, then, that for their sake, the Owlz haven’t yet glanced at the schedule.
The Raptors on Sunday swept a doubleheader from the Owlz, taking the first game 6-0 and the nightcap 7-3 at Lindquist Field.
The double-dip thrashing came just four days after the Raptors completed a sweep of the Owlz in Orem in a two-game series. Ogden will now have a chance to take two from the Owlz one more time, as the teams begin another two-game set tonight in Orem.
“We’ve always played each other tough, and we have a nice rivalry against these guys,” said Raptors manager Damon Berryhill. “We got two more against them, and (Owlz manager Tom Kotchman) and his clubs, they bounce back.”
The opener was a makeup for Saturday’s game, which was rained out. As is the norm in the minors, both games lasted seven innings.
Locked in a scoreless pitchers’ duel in the opener, Ogden put away the Owlz with a six-run fifth — an inning in which the Raptors got just three hits.
Owlz starter Jairo Diaz, who up to that point had allowed just three baserunners, walked three batters and hit another in the inning, and the Raptors capitalized.
Jesus Valdez’s two-run single was the big blow in the inning, though Malcolm Holland and Bladimir Franco each provided key doubles.
On the mound, Lindsey Caughel turned in one of the best outings from any Raptors starter this season. The 23rd-rounder out of Stetson University tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four.
Though it came in just seven innings, Caughel’s complete game shutout was the Raptors’ first since 2007. For his effort, the righty lowered his ERA over a half-run from 4.04 to 3.38.
“He pitched a nice ballgame,” Berryhill said. “He ran into a little trouble at the end, but we talked about it, and we were going to go with him until he gave up a run. He got a little bit tired, but he battled.”
Courtesy of newcomer Paul Hoenecke’s two-run double, the Raptors took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap, and they kept the lead throughout the game.
After Wade Hinkle’s two-run homer off Jason West got the Owlz within one in the fifth, the Raptors used a two-run single from Kevin Thompson to again widen the cushion.
Ross Stripling worked 42⁄3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits.
“We’re just trying to get as much momentum as possible,” Stripling said. “We just want to keep going. As far as winning the doubleheader, that doesn’t happen very often. A lot of things can happen in 14 innings in one day, and it seemed like most of them went our way today.”
Ogden remains atop the Pioneer League South second-half standings.
The Raptors now head out on their final road trip of the season. Tonight’s game with the Owlz is set for 6:05 p.m. in Orem.
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