Ogden Raptors take 10-8 win in Grand Junction after roller-coaster late innings
BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner
Ogden outfielder Nick Ultsch (5) rounds third to score against Rocky Mountain on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Lindquist Field in Ogden.The Ogden Raptors led the Grand Junction Jackalopes from innings 1-7 to open a three-game road series, coughed up that lead in the eighth, then reclaimed it in the ninth just in time to give save-guru Dan Kubiuk another notch in his belt in a 10-8 victory Friday night.
Juan Teixeira’s fifth-inning, three-run homer put Ogden (38-26, 7-9) ahead 5-1. But it then took four Raptors pitchers to get through the seventh and eighth innings.
Grand Junction (28-36, 8-8) first baseman Joe Johnson factored into that, slugging a solo homer in the seventh and hitting a two-run single in the eighth, and the Jackalopes entered the final frame with an 8-6 lead.
But Ogden outfielder Nick Ultsch lived up to his designated hitter role Friday night, going 4 for 5 and leading off the ninth with a home run. A Dane Tofteland double then helped set the table for a two-run single from shortstop Sal Gozzo and a Dakota Conners RBI groundout to put the Raptors ahead 10-8.
Kubiuk needed just nine pitches to retire GJ in order in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two to pick up his league-leading 12th save.
The two teams finish the series Saturday and Sunday, and the Raptors return home Monday for “The Sandlot” night.