Raptors Rally in Sixth to Defeat Orem
Published on August 3, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Ogden Raptors News Release
OGDEN, UT - For the first time in over a month, the Ogden Raptors and Orem Owlz faced off in a Pioneer League game.
Just like their last four meetings, which took place toward the end of June, the Ogden Raptors came out on top.
The Raptors took an early lead but fell behind in the fifth before a four-run sixth gave them the lead back in a 7-5 win.
After loading the bases but being kept off the scoreboard in the first, Ogden opened the second with a Jon Littell single. After a balk, Kenneth Betancourt stroked a one-out single down the right field line and Littell scored to put the Raptors on the board. Betancourt then stole second, and a Jeremy Arocho hit brought him across for a 2-0 lead.
The Owlz cut the lead in half with a solo home run in the third, but Matt Cogen drove in Dillon Paulson with a double in the home half to answer the Orem run.
The visitors came back in the fourth with a pair of unearned runs against Raptors starter Kevin Malisheski, and they knocked him out in the fifth when the first two batters reached.
Gregorio Sequera came on and induced a double play followed by a ground ball that appeared to allow Ogden to get out of the inning, but the ball was thrown away and Orem's go-ahead run scored.
The Raptors still trailed going into the sixth, when Tre Todd walked and Betancourt singled to start the frame. Jefrey Souffront lined a single to right-center to score Todd and tie the game, and then Paulson doubled off of Raptor Ridge and Betancourt crossed the plate as the Raptors went back on top, 5-4. Then with two down, Cogen singled through the left side to plate both Souffront and Paulson for a three-run Ogden lead.
Ogden's pitching staff turned in a strong game, with Malisheski giving up just one earned run in his four-plus innings while striking out seven, followed by two nearly-perfect innings from Sequera. Wes Helsabeck, returning to the site of his pro debut in 2015 on a rehab assignment, pitched a perfect seventh and Hunter Speer finished off the final two innings for his third save of the season.
The Raptors and Owlz are scheduled for game two of the four-game set Friday night at 7:00. It's another Free Tee Friday, with the first 300 fans through the gates receiving a free Raptors T-shirt.
Pioneer League Stories from August 3, 2018
- Osprey Swoop in on Brewers Early to Split Series - Helena Brewers
- Voyagers Comeback Bid Falls Short in Missoula - Great Falls Voyagers
- Martinez Ties Save Record in Rox 3-1 Win - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Chukars Lose Pitcher's Duel 3-1 - Idaho Falls Chukars
- Littell Leads Way in Win - Ogden Raptors
- Early Runs Propel Osprey to a Friday Evening Win over Voyagers - Missoula PaddleHeads
- 13-12 Loss to Brewers in 10 Innings Ends Winning Streak at 5 - Billings Mustangs
- Owlz Can't Fend off Raptors in Opener - Northern Colorado Owlz
- GJ Rallies to Top Idaho Falls 8-6 - Grand Junction Jackalopes
- Raptors Rally in Sixth to Defeat Orem - Ogden Raptors
- Billings Pitching Stymies Voyagers in Series Finale - Great Falls Voyagers
- Osprey Smash 14 Hits on Their Way to Victory Thursday vs. Helena - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Sweep of Voyagers Pushes Streak to Five Games for Mustangs - Billings Mustangs
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