The Ogden Raptors completed their home series with the Boise Hawks by taking an 18-10 loss Sunday afternoon at Lindquist Field, splitting the series 3-3.

At 16-20, the Raptors are much improved from their 2-11 start but that hole may be too large to climb out of. With 12 games left in the first half, Missoula (27-9) has a five-game lead in first place for one playoff berth. Glacier is second at 22-14, with four or five teams still in striking distance to compete with the Range Riders for the second playoff berth of the half.

Trailing by six games with 12 left, the Raptors may need to wait until records reset for the second half.

Still, the team’s 14-9 mark since the 2-11 start constitutes a .609 winning percentage; such a clip would likely qualify Ogden for the playoffs if they can continue that level of play in the second half.

The Raptors finish the first half with 12 straight on the road (at Rocky Mountain from July 2-7, at Billings from July 9-11 and at Missoula from July 12-14).

The second half begins July 15 when Ogden hosts Rocky Mountain for just three games before returning to the road. In fact, the Raptors play 21 of their next 24 games at home and 33 of the next 42. The Raptors will have to string together several successful road series to be in a position to make the playoffs.

Since Ogden started the season with 12 straight home games with school in session, and will finish the season playing 15 of 18 at home starting Aug. 20 when school is again in session, the Raptors may have a real battle claiming the Pioneer League’s attendance crown, which the franchise has done every season since 1997. Boise and Ogden are far and away leading the league, with Boise currently averaging 3,342 fans per night and Ogden 3,018.

HAWKS 18, RAPTORS 10

Ogden’s strong pitching paused Sunday afternoon with Boise totaling 14 hits and drawing six walks on the way to a big win.

Boise first baseman Micah Yonamine exploded for eight RBIs, thanks to a three-run homer in the fifth and a grand slam in the ninth. Tyler Jorgensen also hit a three-run homer in the fifth and totaled four RBIs for the game.

Outfielder Nick Ultsch took over the top home run and RBI spots for Ogden with a home run and four RBIs on Sunday. He has seven homers this season and drove in 12 runs in the last four games.

Connor Bagnieski hit 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs.

Newsletter