Document text
This time, it's pitching for the TJs The Southern Oregon Timberjacks seem to be functioning on all cylinders early in the Northwest League season. The Timberjacks registered their sixth victory in seven games behind a one-hit, shutout pitching performance Thursday at Miles Field. Three Southern Oregon pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and the Timberjacks collected 11 hits en route to a 6-0 victory over the Boise Hawks. Kevin Ticen's two-out, first-inning double off starter Nate Hilton was the Hawks' only base hit in the game. Boise couldn't capitalize on the hit as Gary Johnson was thrown out trying to score from first on the play. Southern Oregon used a precise defensive play on a relay from left fielder Matt Forbes to shortstop Carlos Rosario to catcher Aaron Nieckula to nail the runner. The only other Hawk runner to reach third was Pat Kelleher in the ninth inning. Kelleher walked, stole second and went to third on a ground out. But he was stranded when the third Timberjack pitcher, Keith Surkont, ended the game with his fifth strikeout over two innings. Jason Pomar picked up the victory with a three-inning, four-strikeout effort sandwiched between Hilton and Surkont. While the TJs were getting a shutout performance on the mound, the offense operated efficiently. Southern Oregon broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with two runs. Jorge Soto singled to left, Aaron Nieckula doubled and Matt Howe, who was back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's game with a sore ankle from a foul ball, delivered an RBI single. Kirk Asche followed with a run-scoring hit. Howe went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs to lead the 11-hit attack. The second-year pro also singled and scored in the sixth and had an RBI single in the seventh. Forbes extended his hitting streak to all seven games with a two-out RBI single in the eighth. The teams complete the five-game series at 7:05 tonight at Miles Field. The Timberjacks then hit the road for a five-game series against the Everett, Wash., AquaSox. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.