Ogden Raptors swept in Billings despite Stasio’s stellar pitching night
BRIAN WOLFER, Special to the Standard-Examiner
Ogden Raptors players watch the action in a game against the Oakland Ballers on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Lindquist Field in Ogden.In the thick of a playoff push, the Ogden Raptors have now lost four straight since seeing star catcher Chris Sargent depart the team for an affiliated contract, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Billings Mustangs.
That series concluded Thursday night in a 2-1, walk-off loss that spoiled Cole Stasio’s best outing as a professional pitcher.
Stasio pitched seven innings for Ogden, striking out 14 and walking one. He allowed two hits, though one was a solo homer, and he left the contest with the game tied 1-1.
The Raptors scored in the top of the seventh with a two-out single from Damian Stone, scoring Elliot Good. Connor Bagnieski struck out to end the top half, leaving Cole Jordan on third.
Billings outfielder Tyler Shelnut hit a solo home run off Stasio in the bottom of the seventh.
Nik Cardinal took the mound as Ogden’s closer in the bottom of the ninth, dooming his effort with two walks to start the inning. Cardinal struck out Shelnut but designated hitter Patrick Mills was the hero, singling through the left side of the infield to score Cole Calnon and win the game.
Ogden outhit Billings 5-4.
It was the second straight night Billings won in a pitchers’ duel. On Wednesday, Chase Chatman (two earned runs over 6 1/3 innings) couldn’t best Billings starter Calnon (two earned runs over 7 2/3 innings) as the Mustangs won 6-3.
Ogden fell to 47-39 overall and 21-18 in the second half. But the Raptors remain in fourth place and 1 1/2 games ahead of Yuba-Sutter (46-41) after Idaho Falls (in third place at 49-37) blasted the High Wheelers on Thursday.
Ogden needs to finish in the top four overall to make the playoffs. The Raptors next play three games at Idaho Falls from Friday through Sunday, then finish the regular season Sept. 2-7, hosting Boise.
