Raptors use the long ball in win over Ghosts

The Ogden Raptors used four home runs in their 9-7 win over the Casper Ghosts, to even their season opening series at a game apiece, in front of 1,247 fans at Mike Lansing Field.

The Ghosts took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Rafael Ortega tripled to lead off the inning, and he was driven home by Christhian Adames to give the Ghosts a 1-0 lead. Then Corey Dickerson singled. He stole second, moved up to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an error by the catcher Mike Pericht. However, the lead was short lived.

In the top of the 2^nd, Jesse Bosnik singled with two down to give the Raptors runners and first and second. Chris Henderson walked to load the bases. They were cleared on a grand slam by Austin King to straightaway centerfield on a full count. That gave Ogden a 4-2 lead.

They would tack on two more runs in the 3^rd when Michael Pericht hit a 2-run homer. Pericht would strike again in the 5^th by doubling in Jake Lemmerman to give Ogden a 7-2 lead, but the Ghosts struck back.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth Christhian Adames singled, which was followed by a Corey Dickerson walk. Adames scored on a base hit by Brett Tanos. Then Blake McDade brought home Dickerson and Tanos with a 2-run double to make the score 7-5. The Ghosts would get within a run when Juan Crousset would single in McDade.

Ogden added to that lead in both the 6^th and 7^th innings taking advantage of the long ball in each frame. Bosnik would homer in the in the 6^th, and Pericht would do the same in the 7^th, his second of the night, and third of the season, to make the score 9-6.

The Ghosts would score one more run in the 7^th, but it wouldn’t be enough as they fell 9-7.

Dickerson had a big night going 3-for-3 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored. Crousset also had 3 hits, McDade had two.

Pericht had another big night for Ogden going 4-for-5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI. He is 7-for-9 in the series with three homers and 7 RBI. Lemmerman had 3 hits, and Bosnik had 2.

The rubber of the opening series between the Raptors and Ghosts will be Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:05. RHP Albert Campos starts for the Ghosts opposite RHP Garret Gould.