Raptors Edge Ballers 2-1 to Even Series, Forcing a Game Three

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Ballers came up short in Game Two of the Pioneer Baseball League Semifinals presented by RedPocket, falling 2-1 to the Ogden Raptors on Friday night at Raimondi Park. The best-of-three playoff series is now even at one game apiece and will be decided by a game three.

The Ballers struck first in the fourth inning. After Lou Helmig reached base with a walk and advanced on a single, Daniel Harris IV lined an RBI single into center field to put Oakland ahead 1-0.

Luke Short was sharp for Oakland, striking out nine across 6.1 innings while allowing just four hits and two runs. Short fanned two in each of the first two innings and worked out of traffic in the fourth and fifth before being tagged in the seventh by Christian Hall, who launched a two-run homer to right-center to give Ogden the lead.

Ogden's Cole Stasio kept the Raptors close through five innings, striking out seven and allowing just one run on three hits. The Ogden bullpen combined for four scoreless innings, with Nico Saltaformaggio earning the win and Ryan Velazquez picking up the save.

Oakland's best chance to tie came in the eighth when Jake Allgeyer singled to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but reliever Alain Lopez notched a strikeout to end the threat.

With the loss, the Ballers and Raptors will play a decisive Game Three on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. PDT at Raimondi Park. Fans can catch the action on 860 AM The Answer and FloBaseball.tv.