Billings outlasts late rally from Ogden Raptors in 10-9 decision
The Ogden Raptors gave up a sizable lead, rallied from a decent deficit then lost in the end, falling 10-9 to the Mustangs on Wednesday night in Billings, Montana.
With a series of singles and small-ball baseball, Ogden (21-23) took a 5-1 lead in the middle of the third inning.
But Eli Elliott’s run of stellar starts ended there for the Raptors. Jacob Kline hit a three-RBI double in the third for Billings (20-24) and Connor Denning socked a two-run homer in the fourth, putting the home team ahead 7-5.
Elliott’s start ended after that fourth inning; he allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits.
Trailing 9-6, the Raptors found the runs they needed in the top of the eighth. Connor Bagnieski hit an RBI double, Jack Cone scored on a sacrifice fly and Bagnieski came home on a Nick Ultsch single to tie the game.
Ogden put Quinn Waterhouse on the mound in the bottom of the eighth. He walked Gabe Wurtz and surrendered a single to Gary Lora to start the frame. After runners advanced on a groundout, Waterhouse threw a wild pitch to plate Wurtz as the winning run.
Jonathan Haab remained on the mound for Billings in the ninth, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning to secure the victory for the Mustangs.
The two teams play a rubber match at 6:35 p.m. Thursday. Ogden then goes to Missoula Friday through Sunday to end the first half.