The Ogden Raptors got even with the Boise Hawks via strong pitching Wednesday night, claiming a 4-1 road victory thanks to Brock Gilliam and a shutdown performance from Ogden’s bullpen.

The two teams play a rubber match in the three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.

Gilliam spread five hits and struck out nine Hawks over 6 1/3 innings for the win. Two of those hits came in the second inning when Boise scored its run: Sean Skelly led off with a double and scored on an Alex Baeza single. That tied the game 1-1 after Ogden had plated Cam Phelts in the first on two Boise errors.

The Raptors (11-9) took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Outfielder Nick Ultsch doubled home Logan Williams and scored on a single from Reese Alexiades for a 3-1 margin to knock Boise (11-9) starter Andrew Stout out of the game while handing him the loss.

Ogden tacked on the final run in the eighth when infielder Rafael Narea drew a two-out walk and pinch runner Riley Ottesen scored on an RBI single from Sal Gozzo.

On the mound, meanwhile, Gilliam, Brandon McCabe, Adam Scoggins and Dan Kubiuk combined to hold Boise hitless for four whole innings from the fifth to the ninth frames.

McCabe quickly finished the seventh inning in relief of Gilliam, getting a groundout and a strikeout. The lefty Scoggins then struck out the side in the eighth.

Kubiuk got an infield pop-out and a strikeout in the ninth before surrendering a double to Tyler Jorgensen to end the hitless streak. One groundout later and Kubiuk had closed the game in 15 pitches.

WEDNESDAY SCORES

Ogden 4, Boise 1

Northern Colorado 8, Grand Junction 6

Idaho Falls 5, Rocky Mountain 5

Missoula 7, Glacier 3

Billings 8, Great Falls 5

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

Through June 14

Notes: Missoula has won seven straight and 10 of its last 11 to rise to the top of the North Division. Great Falls has lost seven straight. In the back-and-forth South Division, three straight wins for Northern Colorado is enough to find some separation at the top.

NORTH DIVISION

Missoula 15-5

Glacier 11-7

Idaho Falls 9-11

Billings 7-13

Great Falls 5-13

SOUTH DIVISION

Northern Colorado 13-7

Boise 11-9

Ogden 11-9

Grand Junction 9-12

Rocky Mountain 7-12

Newsletter