Raptors Find Win Column For 2nd Consecutive Night

MISSOULA, MT- The PaddleHeads offense would see more men reach base in game 2 opposite the Ogden Raptors than the previous night. Missoula would struggle to find any semblance of success as the Raptors would cruise to an easy victory in game 1. This ballgame would have a much different feel as action would remain tight throughout the night. However, Ogden would lead for most of the night with a pair of 2-out hits being the key. The PaddleHeads offense would knock at the door throughout with run scoring chances on the other side down the stretch. Unfortunately in the end, the big swing would elude the PaddleHeads on this night. 

Trailing by 3 in the bottom of the ninth, Missoula would see a pair of runners reach to put the Raptors in a bind with only 1-out. Ogden did not budge in the pressure sequence however as closer Dan Kubick would hold the line for Ogden in a 5-2 loss. Situational hitting would prove to be a factor throughout the evening for Missoula as the PaddleHeads would strand 9 runners on base over the course of the action. In the process, the Raptors became the first team to win a series at Allegiance Field this season having taken the first 2 games of this series. 

A 3-run rally in the third inning would get Ogden out the gates in the early going to make the score 3-0. Right fielder Cameron Phelts would get the scoring started with a sacrifice fly in the inning. Later with 2-outs, center fielder Reese Alexiades delivered the big blow hitting a 2-run homer in a 2-strike situation to make the score 3-0. The Southern California native leads all players in the Pioneer League in home runs (14). It would be a solid night for Alexiades as well as a whole who finished the night 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and 2 RBIs. 

The PaddleHeads would push their first run of the night across in the 5th inning thanks to Keaton Greenwalt. After a leadoff double from second baseman Ryan Cash, Greenwalt would knock him in with a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-1. Cash would have an outstanding night from the top of the order finishing 3-for-5. The Raptors had one more 2-out swing left in them however in the next half inning to do more damage. 

In another 2-out situation in the 6th, second baseman Dakota Conners would get a 2-strike pitch he could handle with a pair of runners aboard to drive in 2. The former Napa Silverado would lace a triple into right center in the clutch situation giving Ogden its largest lead of the night at 5-1. Missoula would cut into the deficit an inning later, but would not be able to climb out of this hole in the end. Conners would finish the night 2-for-4 at the dish. 

Greenwalt would get Missoula on the board for the final time on the night in the 7th with a solo home run that made the score 5-2. Greenwalt currently leads the team in that category (9) and would finish Friday 1-for-4. Missoula would see runners reach offensively as well in the final 2 innings but would not be able to push anything across. 

Missoula (29-12) will now attempt to pick itself off the canvas to avoid the sweep opposite the Raptors (26-14) in the series finale on Saturday night. First pitch from Allegiance Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tune in on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M. to catch all the action from the Garden City.