Two key hits, clutch relief pitching carry Ogden Raptors over GJ Jackalopes 11-5
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- Ogden Raptors shortstop Brandon Crosby swings at a pitch against the Grand Junction Jackalopes on opening night Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Lindquist Field in Ogden.
OGDEN — At one point in the third inning Wednesday night, the Grand Junction Jackalopes held an 8-2 advantage in base hits over the Ogden Raptors, yet the Raptors led 6-5.
It was those two hits that led an early-innings rally and lockdown relief pitching that made it stand up for an 11-5 Ogden victory at Lindquist Field.
Grand Junction (0-2) hitters saw the ball well against Ogden (2-0) starter Jake Mulholland, who surrendered eight hits and walked four batters, exiting in a 5-0 hole through 2 1/3 innings during an outing exacerbated by two Ogden errors in the field.
Still looking for their first hit against GJ starter Roberto Baldenbro, catcher Coleton Horner, outfielder Nick Ultsch and outfielder Cameron Phelts led off the bottom of the third with walks for the Raptors. A Dakota Conners ground ball up the middle scored Horner, and a resulting high throwing error trying to double off Conners pushed a second run across.
Then Ogden finally got the bats going. Brian Dansereau drove in two with a single to left and Brandon Crosby followed with a two-run double off Raptor Ridge for the team’s first two hits. Just like that, Ogden led 6-5.
After Mulholland’s rough start, Ogden’s bullpen took care of business. Utah native Riley Ottesen got it started with 3 2/3 shutdown innings, giving up two hits while striking out three and walking one.
Ottesen, Brandon McCabe, Dan Kubiuk and Adam Scoggins combined to throw 6 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out five, allowing three hits and walking one to clean up the contest for the Raptors.
Conners added an RBI single and Juan Teixeira an RBI double in the fourth to make it 8-5. Phelts was instant offense in the sixth by drawing a walk, stealing second and then taking third when the throw down was wide, and scoring on a wild pitch for a 9-5 mark.
The Raptors finished scoring when first baseman Trevor Rogers singled to right with the bases loaded to score two more in the eighth inning.
Ogden and Grand Junction continue the series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
WEDNESDAY SCORES
Ogden 11, Grand Junction 5
Northern Colorado 4, Rocky Mountain 3
Northern Colorado 9, Rocky Mountain 8
Boise 7, Idaho Falls 6
Glacier 11, Great Falls 4
Missoula at Billings, postponed
PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS
NORTH DIVISION
Billings 1-0
Idaho Falls 1-1
Great Falls 1-1
Glacier 1-1
Missoula 0-1
SOUTH DIVISION
Ogden 2-0
Northern Colorado 2-0
Boise 1-1
Grand Junction 0-2
Rocky Mountain 0-2