Ogden Raptors hit 3 grand slams on July 4 to cap series win at Idaho Falls | News, Sports, Jobs

Kevin Johnson, Ogden Raptors

Ogden Raptors first baseman Freddy Achecar (9), catcher Sonny Ulliana (36) and pitching coach Evan Parker (34) visit with a pitcher on the mound in a game Friday, July 1, 2022, at Lindquist Field in Ogden.

Weather delayed the start of the Ogden Raptors’ three-game series at Idaho Falls on Saturday. After the two teams split a Sunday doubleheader, the Raptors poured 23 runs on the Chukars in a Monday Independence Day matchup that saw three players hit grand slams to claim the short series.

The win helped Ogden to a one-game lead in the Pioneer League South Division over the Grand Junction Rockies with 12 games left in the first half.

The Raptors begin a six-game series at Northern Colorado at 4:05 pm Wednesday, and play doubleheaders starting at 1:05 pm on Thursday and Saturday. That allows Ogden to have Sunday and Monday off before concluding the first half with home games against the Vibes from July 12-17.

Ogden outfielder/third baseman Josh Broughton was named the PBL South Division player of the week, hitting 12 for 29 (.414) with one home run, two doubles, eight RBIs and one stolen base.

RAPTORS 23, CHUKARS 10

In a high-scoring game drawing inevitable references to fireworks on the Fourth of July, outfielder Brian Dansereau socked a grand slam as part of a six-run first inning and Ogden was off to the races Monday, setting a new season-high for runs scored in one game.

The Raptors scored six more in the fifth to make it 12-3, a frame that saw Dustyn Macaluso and Josh Broughton each double in runs. That was only a precursor to a 10-run sixth inning that saw both Broughton and Andrew Noviallo hit grand slams to go up 22-3.

Samuel Burton got the win on the hill, giving up three runs and five hits in five innings.

Dansereau hit 4 for 5 with five RBIs. Broughton was 3 for 6, driving in six. Noviello hit 4 for 6 with five RBIs. Jesus Valdez had two hits, drew two walks and scored five runs. Dakota Conners crossed the plate four times.

CHUKARS 4, RAPTORS 2

Outfielder Reese Alexiades drove in both Ogden runs — with a single in the first and a double in the sixth — but Idaho Falls knocked out Raptors starter Ronny Orta with a two-run fourth inning that ultimately decided the game in the first of two Sunday contests .

The Chukars totaled five hits but scored the key runs in the fourth on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.

Riley Ottesen closed the game with two scoreless innings for Ogden, allowing one hit.

RAPTORS 3, CHUKARS 2

Christian Day pitched 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out four and walking one while giving up five hits, to help the Raptors to a win in Sunday’s second game.

Day’s pitching didn’t result in a win on his ledger but held Ogden close, trailing 1-0 through five innings.

But the Raptors broke through in the sixth against reliever Alex Fishberg. First baseman Freddy Achecar walked to lead off the frame and scored immediately on a Sonny Ulliana double. Riley Ottesen pinch ran for Ulliana and scored on a Dustyn Macaluso single to put Ogden in the lead.

Steve Barmakian doubled in the bottom of the sixth to drive in a run and knot the game 2-2 for Idaho Falls.

Ogden won it in the seventh when Reese Alexiades led off with a single, Brian Dansereau doubled him to third and Jesus Valdez drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Jackson Lancaster saved the game in the bottom half, putting the tying run on board via walk but striking out two and getting a pop-out to end the game.

MONDAY SCORES

Ogden 23, Idaho Falls 10

8 Northern Colorado, 7 Grand Junction

Billings 8, Rocky Mountain 1

Missoula 7, Boise 4

Glacier at Great Falls, canceled

PIONEER LEAGUE STANDINGS

NORTH DIVISION

Missoula 25-10

Great Falls 21-14

Idaho Falls 20-15

Billings 19-15

Glacier 13-21

SOUTH DIVISION

Ogden 20-16

Grand Junction 19-17

Northern Colorado 14-19

Boise 13-23

Rocky Mountain 10-24

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