via Oregon Tech Athletic Communications
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Tim Williams tossed five strong innings, with Tyler Horner and Jacob Cook hitting home runs, helping Oregon Tech open the 2025 season with a 14-2 victory over La Sierra.
The Hustlin’ Owls (1-0) pounded out 16 hits in the win, with four pitchers combining to allow just one earned run. The game was halted in the top of the ninth inning due to darkness.
“It was a fun day,” said head coach Ricky Walker. “We played Tech Baseball. It takes all of us – our dugout energy was great, it’s something we need to see this week and all season.”
Williams limited LSU (2-2) to three hits, allowing a second inning unearned run, fanning seven in his first OIT start. Brian McClelland and Alex Rodriguez each tossed shutout innings in relief.
Tech used a 4-run second inning to take control of the game. The Owls loaded the bases with one out, with Matthew Ortiz driving in a run with a sacrifice fly, followed by a long Horner 3-run homer, the 28th of his career.
Cook made it 8-1 in the sixth inning, clearing the bases with a double – his first hit in an OIT uniform. He extended the margin to 13-2 in the ninth inning with a 2-run homer, followed by an RBI double from Patrick Barry – before the game was ended by the umpire crew.
Five Hustlin’ Owls posted multi-hit games, with Julien Jones going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, Ortiz and Barry going 2-for-4, Cook finishing 2-for-5 with five RBI, with Korrey Siracusa going 2-for-3.
“After a long road trip, our goal was to establish a lead and maximize opportunities,” Walker said. “Pitching and defense were solid and I was happy with what we saw out of a quality start from Tim Williams.”
OIT has Monday off in preparation for a Tuesday night match-up at Westcliff.
