CALDWELL, Idaho – Quality pitching performances from Braeden Bellum and Patrick Arman weren't enough for Oregon Tech, as The College of Idaho swept the opening two games of a 4-game series with the Owls at Wolfe Field.
 
Mitchel Swanson had three hits in the opener and Ian Peters recorded three hits in the nightcap, but the Owls (21-11, 4-2 CCC) were kept at bay by C of I's starting pitchers in both games.
 
"We had moments today where we needed to step up and take control of the moment," said OIT head coach Jacob Garsez. "It was the big difference in the game."
 
The host Coyotes (16-17, 4-2) took a 4-0 lead in Game 1 – as the first six C of I batters reached base. While Bellum seven innings of 5-hit relief, OIT cut the margin to 4-2 on solo homers from Peters and Dalton Daily. After the Yotes regained a 7-3 lead in the eighth, Tech clawed back in their final at bat, as Alex Malcolm delivered an RBI single and Ryan Palmer drove in a run with a ground out, but a deep fly out with the bases loaded ended the game.
 
C of I starter Connor Root worked eight innings, striking out seven in the win.
 
Tech took a 1-0 lead in Game 2, as Matthew Ortiz led the game off with a single and scored on a Peters RBI single – but the Yotes Dimick Wood held the Owls to just two hits the rest of the way. C of I tied the game in the bottom of the inning and grabbed the lead for good on a Ben Gaff 2-run single in the second.
 
"We hit too many balls in the air today," Garsez said. "Days like today are important because they provide us with an opportunity to improve upon moments that are holding us back. When we take that next step, we'll be dangerous."
 
Arman tossed a complete game for the Owls, allowing four runs and striking out six.
 
The two teams close out the series tomorrow with an 11 a.m. (MDT) doubleheader.