Raptors Offense Leads Way to Game 1 Win

MISSOULA, MT- The top 2 teams from both divisions of the Pioneer League squared off for the first time this season on Thursday night in game 1 of a 3 game set between the Ogden Raptors, and Missoula PaddleHeads. After a series win on the road, the PaddleHeads would look to take that momentum with them to the Garden City, a place that has treated Missoula well this season. However, It would only take one half inning to show the Raptors would make themselves right at home at Allegiance Field at Ogren Park on this night. 

The Raptors offense would be the story throughout,  immediately setting the tone in the top of the 1st. Ogden would record 5 hits in the frame while bringing all 9 batters to the plate. In a blink of an eye, the Raptors would hold a 3-run lead. Missoula's offense would be kept quiet by ace Brock Gilliam on the flip side with the 2nd year Raptor holding Missoula to just 1 earned run. This would allow the Raptors to cruise to a comfortable margin of victory in a 12-3 win over the PaddleHeads. 

The Raptors would tally 3 consecutive singles in the top of the 1st to immediately grab the lead as part of a 3 run rally. Right fielder Juan Tuexiera would kick off a huge night at the plate with an RBI single to get the Raptors off and running. The 2nd year professional would go on to drive in 3 runs as part of a 3-for-5 performance. That would only begin to tell the story of what would be a night to remember for the Raptors offense. 

The PaddleHeads would try to climb back into the game in the 4th inning scoring a pair in the inning to get themselves on the board. Both second baseman Ryan Cash, and centerfielder Keaton Greenwalt started the inning with a pair of singles to kick off the push. Both players would then score on a fielder's choice later in the inning to make the score 5-2. Missoula would not be heard from offensively again however until the 8th. On the other side, Ogden was just getting started offensively. 

The Raptors would score 7 unanswered runs in innings 6 through 8 to put the game well out of reach. A 2-run double from center fielder Camron Phelts would bring Ogden's lead to 4 as part of a 3 run rally in the 6th inning. The Former NoCo Owl would have a huge night in the win finishing 4-for-6. Later in the 8th, a pair of doubles from Logan Willams, and Dane Tofteland would see the Raptors extend their lead to 12-2 as part of a 4-run rally. When it was all said and done, Ogden finished the night with 18 hits as a team. Williams was 2-for-6 in the win and Toftland finished 1-for-1. 

Gilliam kept the PaddleHeads offense under wraps for much of the night in 7 innings of work to earn his 7th win on the season. The Kansas City native allowed just 1 earned run over those innings while striking out 7. Gilliam is now tied with PaddleHeads starter Kelvan Pilot for the Pioneer League lead in wins (7). 

Missoula (29-11) saw their lead in the Pioneer League North shrink back to 5 games over the 2nd place Range Riders with the loss Thursday. The PaddleHeads will now look to brush off the loss in game 2 opposite the Raptors (25-14) on Friday. Action is set to begin at Allegiance Field at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the action on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.