Redding rattles Tigers twice

Snake handling is a religious ritual practiced in a small number of churches in the United States, but after being bitten twice in Wednesday's doubleheader loss to Redding, the Orland Tigers are praying they don't have to try handling the Rattlers again anytime soon.

The Tigers were caught by their tails 19-3 in the five-inning opener, and dropped the second game 15-9 at Bihler Field. Back on May 31, the Tigers were beaten 16-6 by the Rattlers in Redding.

Both teams lumbered up in the first inning of Game 1, as Ben Oberlander's two-run homer gave the Rattlers a brief 2-0 advantage.

Kevin Molleson led off the home half of the frame by launching a rocket over the fence in left-center, and one out later, Cody Deitz also left the yard to left for a solo shot and a 2-2 tie.

That was as close as the score would ever be, as Redding struck for five runs in the second and four more in the third inning, with the help of four Orland errors. Molleson prevented more damage when he tracked down a ball headed for the gap in right-center and made the catch on a full-out dive.

Andy Lauritzen doubled in three Redding runs in the second, but all four in the third scored as a result of errors.

Orland tallied its other run in the third, with a Deitz double plating Molleson, who had also rapped a two-bagger.

The Rattlers then put the game away with eight runs on seven hits in the fifth, as Lauritzen and Dalton Michaels each drove in a pair.

Redding recoiled during the intermission between the two contests and struck for five runs in the first inning of Game 2. Oberlander's two-run single was the big blow, along with a bunt single with the bases loaded and a double steal.

Orland capitalized on the wildness of Redding starter Kodiak Oravez in the bottom half, as they rallied back for four runs behind three bases on balls and a pair of hit batters.

The hot-hitting Oberlander singled in a pair for Redding in the second and Everit Johnson tripled in a run in a two-run third, making it 9-4.

The Tigers made more noise in the third, both on the field and from the dugout, as Roberto Espinoza singled in a run, and Dakota Meeds dropped a single into left to chase two more across the plate. A Redding error allowed a fourth run to score, as Orland cut the lead to 9-8.

The Rattlers then pulled away by adding a run in the fifth, three more in the fifth and two in the seventh.

Orland hosts Red Bluff for a doubleheader at home Saturday.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.