Raptors V Range Riders Game 2

Ogden, UT

In this Wednesday night game two contest, the Raptors had their work cut out for them, facing Range Riders starter Patrick Wicklander, fresh off of his Glacier franchise strikeout record setting start last week, in which he punched out sixteen batters facing off with the Billings Mustangs. Tonight, the Raptors got off to a slow start with Wicklander keeping them off of the scoreboard through his first 4 innings of action. In his fifth and final inning, the Raptors were finally able to scratch across some production to be excited about, dropping a 4 spot, with the catalyst being Drew Brutcher’s bases clearing three run double to make it a six to four game. With the strength of the Range Riders bullpen on display, every run scoring opportunity was made much more difficult for Raptors sluggers, which is where Shane Gustafson’s dominance came into the mix. Facing off against one of the premier offenses in the Pioneer League, Goose (Gustafson) dialed it up to ten, and had arguably the best performance by a Raptors reliever that we’ve seen this season. In his four innings of magic, he struck out an absurd six batters, only allowing two hits and keeping the Range Riders out of the score column from the fourth all the way to the seventh inning. Gustafson’s composure on the bump and strong sequencing with his slider on point, allowed him to single handedly dominate the middle innings of the ballgame and keep his ballclub within striking distance. Jon Rice would then come in behind Goose and his stuff was sizzling past Glacier batters. In his three innings of work, he didn't allow a single hit, walking two batters and punching out three. Bullpen dominance gave the Raptors the chance to come clawing back into the game which is exactly what they did in the top of the ninth. Down to their final out, the outcome of the game came down on the bat of Cole Jordan and he delivered an unbelievably clutch single back up the middle to bring home the tying runs from second and third, flipping the game on its head and giving the Raptors much needed late life. With the Raptors dugout buzzing around after knotting the game up at six runs a piece, the game would end up going into just the second home knockout round contest of the year and the Raptors did not miss their golden opportunity. After Range Riders slugger Chad Castillo went 0 for 5 in round one of the knockout round, all it took was three swings for Chris Sargent to send the Raptors faithful home happy getting his squad back in the win column with a majestic walk off home run over the tar pit in left field. Fundamentals on full display for both sides, this was anybody's game to take and the Raptors won in the battle of nine innings. Evening the series up at one to one, the Raptors will be looking to take the series lead starting tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM here at Lindquist Field in game three of this six game final home stand of the 2024 season.