Vargas-Vila Stars for Orem in Pioneer League Playoffs

Vargs-Vila continues his dominance in the pros (Photo by Bill Stockland)

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Former West Florida pitcher Daniel Vargas-Vila hurled a near perfect game for the Orem Owls Saturday September 10 against the Ogden Raptors in a Pioneer League Playoff elimination game. The Jacksonville, Fla. native guided the Owls to a 5-2 victory forcing a decisive game three.

Vargas-Vila retired the first 19 batters he faced before giving up a single to Justin Boudreuax. He went on to retire the next two batters before calling it a night, tossing seven innings allowing just one hit while striking out nine batters. Vargas-Vila was in this situation before; he took a perfect game in to the ninth inning for the Argos last season against Arkansas Tech. With just one out to go pinch hitter Michael Milum drew a walk to break up the perfect game.

In his rookie season for the Owls Vargas-Vila has posted a 1-3 record with a 3.54 ERA. He has averaged a strikeout an inning fanning 56 batters in 56 innings of work. Vargas-Vila has transferred his dominance on the mound from college to the pro’s holding opponents to just a .264 average.

As an Argo last season he recorded a 16-1 record with a 1.86 ERA and lead UWF to its first National Championship. In 120.2 Innings of work he struck out 88 batters while holding opponents to a .188 average. Vargas-Vila recorded two wins at the Division II Championships in 16 innings and allowed just two runs. He was named the Division II Championships Most Outstanding Player.

Former Argos Brandon Brewer, John Church, Dustin Lawley and Shane Waller each saw playing time in the playoffs for their minor league teams. Brewer batted .200 in four games driving in two runs for the Orem Owls. Church appeared out of the bullpen for the St. Lucie Mets and tossed 4.1 innings allowing just one run on two hits. Lawley, who was recently moved up to the Savannah Sand Gnats, saw action in three playoff games posting a .273 average ripping two doubles, a homerun and slugged .727. Waller threw 0.2 playoff innings for the Orem Owls after a 4-0 season. He posted a 2.45 ERA, struckout 32 batters in 22 innings and helf opponents to a .173 average.

For information on the defending 2011 National Championship baseball team and for information on all UWF athletics visit www.GoArgos.com.

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