By Jake Gordon
STAFF WRITER
With the score tied after five complete innings Tooele looked in prime position to steal a game away at Orem. However, the Tigers were able to sneak in a run in the bottom of the sixth to earn a 5-4 victory.
Matt Medina, Zac Clausing, Steven Witkowski and Stewart Christensen each had two hits a piece but it was not enough to earn the win.
Tooele started off the scoring with a triple by Matt Gochis who was driven in by Clausing with a single to right-center for an early 1-0 lead.
The lead quickly evaporated with Orem scoring single runs in the first and second inning to take a 2-1 edge.
After the Tigers tacked on two more runs in the fourth, Tooele found itself staring at a three-run deficit.
Down 4-1, the Buffs came roaring back. Medina got on with a single to right-center and Gochis walked to get Tooele much needed base runners and both players came around to score.
A clutch two-out triple by Christensen was enough to score Witkowski and tie the game at 4-4.
Orem started the sixth off great with a hard-hit double by Colton Baird but Clausing didn't panic on the mound. He quickly fought his way through the next two hitters and appeared headed unscathed in the inning.
On a close play at first to end the inning, it was ruled that first baseman Witkowski pulled his foot off the bag, allowing the winning run to cross home plate. The controversial call turned out to be the decisive play.
Tooele now has its work cut out for them to get into the playoffs, as they would most assuredly have to win their three remaining games and get a little help from other Region 7 teams. The Buffs host Springville today at 4 p.m.
jgordon@tooeletranscript.com