Ogden Resumes Winning Ways at Perfect Timing, Takes Momentum into Playoffs

The Ogden Raptors got to the 2023 PBL Playoffs by winning the first-half South Division title with a 31-17 record, before going 19-29 in the second half to end their season with the best overall record in the South at 50-46. After a slump in the beginning of the second half, Ogden switched gears at the end of the season and now enters the postseason on a five-game winning streak and will try to keep the momentum going in hopes of achieving their second ever PBL title after winning their first one in 2017. 

The Raptors outfield was the driving force behind their offense, especially PBL Midseason All-Star Reese Alexiades, who led the PBL this year with 29 home runs and the Raptors with a .671 slugging percentage and 29 steals. Nick Ultsch (a team best 128), Juan Teixeira (123) and Cameron Phelts (106) all surpassed the 100-hit mark, alongside infielder Dakota Conners (103). Ultsch led Ogden with a .373 average, while Phelts had 40 stolen bases in the year, third best in the league. Catcher Logan Williams also was a Midseason All-Star, with 12 home runs in June and July. 

Ogden had plenty of depth on the mound, with some of the best pitchers in the South Division. Dan Kubiuk led the PBL in Saves with 15, allowing just two earned runs on 35 total appearances and 35.2 innings pitched, posting an impressive 0.50 ERA, a .98 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts for 12.62 K/9, taking home the honors of Midseason All-Star and July south Pitcher of the Month. Brandon McCabe also was elected to the Midseason All-Star team, posting a 2.37 ERA and 17.1 K/9 in the first three months of the season. The starting rotation was also solid, with Brock Gilliam recording a South Division leading 9 wins on 18 starts, with 88 strikeouts. Jake Mullholland, with eight wins, and Mitchell Stone, recording 81 strikeouts, were also highlights for the Raptors. 

Ogden faces Rocky Mountain in the Divisional Round, starting from UCHealth Park in Colorado Springs on Monday at 6:35, before travelling back home. The Raptors had the better head-to-head record between the teams in the regular season, going 13-11 against the Vibes this year.