Ogden and Orem Split Again

Thursday night, the Ogden Raptors won the first game of a two-game series with the Orem Owlz. For the second time, however, they were unable to finish off the sweep.
Unlike Wednesday, when they lost the game after leading in the ninth, Ogden's hopes for staying within two games of first place evaporated quickly on Friday at the Home of the Owlz. Orem scored five runs in the first and picked up another pair in the second as they cruised to a 12-3 win to split the brief set.
The host Owlz ambushed Raptors starter Justin Lewis, with five of the first six hitters reaching base. Lewis faced a total of eight batters, and was removed with two out in the first when a shallow fly ball fell in to score the fifth run of the frame, despite Chris Roller's diving attempt in center field.
Orem scored twice in the second as well, and only a great diving catch by Roller prevented that number from growing.
The Raptors went on the scoreboard in the third, when Jacob Amaya drew his second walk, moved to second on a balk and third via wild pitch, and scored on a passed ball.
For the second-straight day, and Ogden hitter also produced their first professional home run. Daniel Robinson, a 2018 draft choice from Central Michigan University, stepped up with a runner on and two out in the sixth and launched a 415-foot shot to right-center field. On Thursday, three different Raptors hit their first pro home runs, and each of those was a two-run blast as well.
Orem continued piling on, however, with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth and two in the eighth.
Both teams are now 3-5 on the season, three games behind first-place Idaho Falls.
The Raptors will be home for the next five days, with the Grand Junction Rockies coming to town for three and then another two with Orem. Saturday and Sunday comprise America First Credit Union weekend, where you can get four FREE general admission tickets simply for showing your America First Visa or debit card at the Raptors' ticket office!
Mini Monday will follow, with the first 500 fans receiving replicas of the 2017 Ogden Raptors Pioneer League Championship ring presented by the North and South Ogden Ace Hardware stores.
On Tuesday, the first 500 kids 12 and under will receive Whiffle bats courtesy of McKay Dee Hospital.
Finally, the first 500 fans on Wednesday will receive a collectible poster, provided by Ellis Printing, featuring prominent members of the 1968 Ogden Dodgers.