Moten Mows Down Eight in Hoots Win

Nicholas Moten (Arkansas) was dominant in relief Saturday night for the Hoots. He struck out eight hitters, earning his first win of the season. Five of those strikeouts came in succession from the fifth-seventh innings. 

The O’Fallon Hoots (18-16) gained their first win of the second half while the Alton River Dragons (19-17) fell to 1-4 in the second half. It was a 13-3 win in seven innings, with Ryan Malzahn (SEMO) providing the game-sealing hit. After a world-wind game on Friday, the Hoots responded in a big way Saturday. 

Jacob Hager (Arkansas State) got the scoring started for the Hoots with a two-run double in the first. Two innings later, Ole Arntson (SIUE) drove in Patrick Clohisy (SLU), who had just tripled. Later in the third, Noah Jouras (Triton) registered a two-run single. Jack Dunn (Mineral Area) would complete the scoring in the third with a two-run single of his own. 

Dunn would add another RBI in the 6th, to go along with his four-hit night. The seventh inning saw Clohisy walk with one out, Arntson doubled him home, then Malzahn singled to end the game. 

On the mound, Moten threw 3.2 innings, surrendered two hits, two earned runs, walked three, and struck out eight. Noah Niznik (SEMO) impressed in his Hoots debut as the game’s starter. The lefty struck out four in 3.1 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits. Niznik was also able to work out of two multiple-runner jams in the second and third innings. 

Overall, the Hoots had 17 hits, tying a season-high. The Hoots are back in action Sunday night, playing a doubleheader against the Quincy Gems. Gates open at 5 p.m. and first pitch is 5:35 at CarShield Field.