KLAMATH FALLS, OR – Lexi Klum (Pictured below) dramatically walked off game two on Friday, earning her side a doubleheader sweep of Northwest University (2-5, 0-2 CCC). Klum stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth in a 4-4 game and launched the ball over the center-field wall to win it for Tech (13-3, 2-0 CCC) Friday at John and Lois Stilwell Stadium.
Following the pair of victories, HC Greg Stewart said: "Those were a couple of nice wins today to open up conference play. We pitched good and had some timely hits in game one. Northwest played tough in game two and we got some big hits with the game on the line from Jensen and Lexi. I am looking forward to us playing again in front of the home town crowd again tomorrow."
Game One:
#1 Oregon Tech 9
Northwest University 1 (5 inn.)
Looking to start CCC play and their home opener off with a bang, Tech picked up where they had left off in the last few games by keeping the offense hot.
After a scoreless first frame, Tech got the bats rolling in the 2nd, plating three runs on two hits.
The early flurry of runs was highlighted by Jayce Seavert, who hit a two-run bomb to ignite the crowd in Tech's home opener.
After the first two frames, Tech led 3-0, but Northwest would claw one back in the third.
The Eagles plated one run but left two in scoring position after an RBI double from Jordan Dippel.
After the top half of the third, Tech began to pull away, plating four more runs to race out to a 7-1 lead after 3.
Holding a sizeable advantage, the Lady Owls would finish off the game by plating two in the fourth, eventually winning by run-rule in the 5th.
Sarah Abramson was solid again in the circle for Tech, throwing all five innings.
Abramson allowed only one run on four hits while striking out ten.
The Lady Owls were led at the plate by Kennedy Jantzi, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Tech got home runs from Seavert, Jantzi, and Maggie Buckholz in the opening game.
The loss was charged to Becca Rennick of Northwest, who allowed nine runs in four innings.
Northwest was led at the plate by Emily Barry, who was 2-for-2 with a walk, and a run scored.
Game Two:
#1 Oregon Tech 6
Northwest University 4 (8-innings)
Tech picked right back up in game two where they left off, scoring three runs in the first inning.
The three runs came off of three hits as the Owls put immediate pressure on the visitors.
After the hot start for Tech, the game was taken over by the pitchers for both sides.
Tech starter Mckenzie Staub and Northwest starter Bella King took over for their respective dugouts, shutting down the other's offense until the 6th inning.
With a 3-0 lead, Northwest would get to Staub, plating three runs on three hits, highlighted by a home run from Kayla Stanley, which forced Tech into a pitching change.
In the bottom of seventh, with the bases loaded, the Lady Owls had an opportunity to walk it off, but King hurled her sixth consecutive scoreless frame, keeping the hosts at bay.
In the eighth, Northwest broke the tie, going up 4-3 and shifting all the pressure back over to Tech.
But Tech would respond.
In the bottom of the eighth, Jensen Becker tied the game with an RBI double, then Lexi Klum stepped to the plate, and the rest was history.
Klum's walk-off HR was her first of the season, coming at a perfect time for the Lady Owls.
Abramson was credited with the W for her relief efforts for Tech.
The senior threw 2.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two.
King was charged with the L for Northwest, despite the valiant effort.
King went 7.1 innings for the Eagles, allowing four earned runs on eight hits.
Klum led Tech at the plate, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Northwest was led by Stanley, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as well.
The Lady Owls will return to action tomorrow to face Northwest in another doubleheader starting at 11:00AM.
