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.

Newsletter