Stone strikes out 10, Ogden Raptors take finale at Glacier 3-1
Mitchell Stone struck out 10 batters in six innings and Ogden’s offense did enough, helping the Raptors claim the finale of a three-game road series in their first-ever matchup against the Glacier Range Riders.
Ogden pitchers held Glacier (22-15) to just four hits on the night. One of those four was a solo homer to catcher Matt Clayton in the third inning, which tied the game 1-1.
Stone allowed three hits and walked two to go with his 10 strikeouts over six innings. Foster Pace, Adam Scoggins and Dan Kubiuk combined to allow just one hit over the final three innings, and Kubiuk got his fifth save of the season by pitching around a runner on third base in the ninth inning.
With the bases loaded in the second, infielder Rafael Narea singled home designated hitter Damian Henderson to get Ogden (24-14) on the board but Cam Phelts grounded out to end the threat.
The Raptors took the lead for good in the sixth inning when Henderson and Sal Gozzo hit doubles in consecutive at-bats, scoring Juan Teixeira.
Ogden added insurance in the seventh when Glacier couldn’t turn two on a Logan Williams grounder up the middle, allowing Narea to score from third base.
Though Ogden lost the series, its first series defeat of the season, it came through its first trip to Kalispell, Montana, in the same shape it arrived: in first place in the Pioneer League South Division and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Boise Hawks. Ogden has 10 games left in the first half.
The Raptors next play in Missoula to face the red-hot Missoula PaddleHeads (29-10) for the first time this season, a three-game series from Thursday through Saturday. The PaddleHeads lead the North Division by six games over Glacier.
Ogden then returns home to close the first half with seven games against the Rocky Mountain Vibes from July 10-15 — one yet-to-be-determined day will feature a doubleheader that includes the conclusion of a game previously suspended by rain from earlier this season, plus six regularly scheduled games.