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Show SPORTS r www.uvureview.com JULY 19, 2010 VOL L ISSUE 2 Courtesy of UVU Athletics Kevin Arendse's arm at the plate caught the attention of the Orem Owlz Former Wolverines' catcher lands with Owlz ByMATTPETERSEN Asst Sports Editor The Orem Owlz needed a catcher. Kevin Arendse just needed a chance. The end result satisfied both parties, with the former UVU catcher getting an unexpected shot without needing to look for it. Owlz manager, Tom Kotchman, called it a case of "things just working out." Arendse couldn't be happier that they did. "It's pro baseball" Arendse said. "I'm really excited. It's awesome." The opportunity came after Arendse thought he had exhausted his chances of playing professional ball. Tryouts with the Seattle Manners and the MLB Scouting Bureau yielded nothing, sending Arendse home resigned to a career ending at the college level. Three weeks into the season, the Owlz found themselves thin at the catcher position. Kotchman voiced his concern about the shortage to a UVU official at Brent Brown Ballpark following a game. The official told Kotchman the Wolverines had just seen their starting catcher graduate, and that his talent behind the plate merited a look. A pleasantly surprised, but realistic, Arendse accepted the invitation. "I wasn't really trying to get my hopes up," Arendse confessed. "I'd been at the other tryouts, so this was just another try out. I didn't want to count my blessings before anything happened for sure." Kotchman was already counting in his head, however, tantalized by the burly catcher's 60 percent throwout clip. Combine that with his .338 batting average and 48 RBIs from last season, and Kotchman was more than willing to give Arendse an opportunity. "Anytime a catcher throws out 60 percent of base runners, that's impressive," Kotchman said. "I don't care what level you play in, that deserves a look." Arendse's tryout showed enough potential to net a deal with the Los Angeles Angels and get him assigned to the Owlz. As of last Monday, he had yet to get out of the dugout. Arendse's patience, combined with the minor league's opportunity-friendly system, leaves no doubt in the catcher's mind his onfield chance will come. "I'm just waiting for my chance," Arendse said. "We've got a great coaching staff here. When they decide it's my time, I'll give it all I've got and make the most of it." Arendse has already shown himself capable of seizing the moment - he was the hero in the 2010 Great West Conference championship game, hitting a walk-off RBI base hit in the tenth inning. While it's uncertain if or how Arendse will make his mark, Kotchman saw the signing process as a foreshadowing of things to come. "Things just have a way of working out," Kotchman said. "That's all that happened, and I'm sure that's what will happen." Monday, July 19 at Helena Brewers 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 at Helena Brewers 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 21 vs. Missoula Osprey at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. Thursday, July 22 vs. Missoula Osprey at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 23 vs. Missoula Osprey at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. Saturday, July 24 vs. Missoula Osprey at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. (fireworks) Clalr Muir/UVU Review Bryant George winds up to throw against the Casper Ghosts. Owlz win series late again Sunday, July 25 vs. Helena Brewers at Brent Brown Ballpark 4:05 p.m. By NATE GRAY Sports Writer The Orem Owlz wrapped up a three-game series at home against the Casper Ghosts early last week at Brett Brown Ballpark, winning the rubber match of the series, 6-5. The Owlz (12-10) had an uphill battle, due to a four-run deficit in the second inning whe pitcher Carmine Giardina was smacked around for six hits. Carson Andrew proceeded to lead the Owlz in a gradual comeback, allowing two hits and one run while sitting down four Ghosts on strikeouts. Travis Witherspoon's efforts helped the charge for the Owlz comeback by cut- I J___ ting the lead in half in the third inning with a smash over the 427-foot sign in left-center field. "It was just a fastball up in the zone," Witherspoon said. "I was just fortunate enough to get on top of it with my line-drive swing, have it catch some height and it took off." Witherspoon's long ball wasn't the only one of the night. Kole Calhoun snuck around the right field foul pole in what ended up to be the game-winning homerun in the seventh inning. "It was fair all day "Calhoun said. "[The home plate umpire] called it fair, so it's fair." The Owlz bullpen then went on to pitch perfect eighth and ninth innings to finish off their comeback. Comeback wins have been a somewhat regular occurrence this season and that has Owlz Manager Tom Kotchman worried. "You can't keep doing that," said Kotchman. "For us to be in the situation to be tied for first, we'll take it." That's where the Owlz sat early last week. They entered a huge 14-game stretch versus the Missoula Osprey and the Helena Brewers of the North division, with the first seven games on the road. "You'd like to finish up the |irst half (of the season) against your own teams," Kotchman said. "But again, we're tied for first and that's the bottom line." The road ahead for the Owlz will be a tough one, especially against the talented pitching of Helena. Kotchman referred to their pitching staff as being "stacked." The secret for the Owlz is to be aggressive and try to score runs early in games, avoiding thrilling, yet unneeded, comebacks. The Owlz will return to their home field on Wednesday, July 21, taking on the Missoula Osprey to begin a four-game series.. Monday, July 26 vs. Helena Brewers at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 27 vs. Helena Brewers at Brent Brown Ballpark 7:05 p.m. Thursday, July 29 at Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 30 (- at Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m. Saturday. July 31 . at Idaho Falls Chukars 7:15 p.m. |