Raptors Rally Falls Short

HELENA, MONT. - A ninth-inning rally, featuring five pinch hitters, came up short for the Ogden Raptors in a 7-3 loss to the Helena Brewers Saturday night at Kendrick Legion Field.

Trailing 7-2 entering the top of the ninth, Colin Hering, pinch hitting for Andrew Godbold, hit a solo homer to center field, his second of the year. After Jacob Scavuzzo struck out, Ivan Vela, pinch hitting for John Cannon, walked. Then, Cody Bellinger, pinch hitting for Tyler Wampler, also drew a walk. Billy Bereszniewicz, pinch hitting for Joe Meggs, hit a bloop single to left to load the bases. After Wesely Cox relieved Ryan Deeter for Helena, Theo Alexander, pinch hitting for Jimmy Allen, struck out. Also with the bases loaded and representing the tying run, Julian Leon struck out to end the game.

The Brewers (9-11, 22-36) jumped out to a lead with three runs in the second inning. With one out, Jack Cleary singled and moved to second on a groundout. Eric Williams then doubled him home off the wall in center. Edgardo Rivera and Francisco Castillo followed with two RBI singles to put Helena up 3-0.

The Raptors (9-10, 24-34) answered with two runs in the third. Scavuzzo started the inning with a single to right and went to second on a wild pitch. Cannon then singled to left and went to second on the throw, putting runners on second and third. Wampler brought in Scavuzzo with an RBI groundout, and Meggs singled in Cannon on an infield hit to cut the lead to 3-2.

Helena extended its lead with a run in the fourth. With one out, Tucker Neuhaus singled, followed by a walk to Williams. After Rivera struck out, Castillo singled to right. Neuhaus scored just before Williams was thrown out at third by Scavuzzo from right field.

The Raptors and Brewers continue their four-game series Sunday. Jeff Brigham takes the mound for Ogden against Helena's Devin Williams. Game starts at 1:05 and can be heard on 97.5 The Zone.