Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
After a long road trip to the eastern side of Washington, the Raptors have returned back to their home nest for another three-game series against a familiar foe, the Yakima Valley Pippins.
Ridgefield (2-7) will be looking for a bounce back after losing all three games to the Walla Walla Sweets at Borleske Stadium this past weekend. The ‘Raps stayed competitive and lost by just one run on Saturday (5-4) and Sunday (3-2).
So far this season, California State Dominguez Hills transfer Noah Karliner leads the Raps with 13 hits and five RBI. Karliner has also doubled four times. Two-way player Dawson Downs has nine hits and two-time Raptor Ryder Cutlip leads the team with seven walks.
Out on the hill, Ridgefield’s Austin Sheldon pitched a strong five innings against the Sweets on Sunday, allowing only one unearned run during his appearance. The right-hander also leads the Raps pitching staff in innings (10). Gonzaga commit Landon Hood paces the Raptors with 10 strikeouts.
The Pippins (3-6) come to Ridgefield after battling the Cowlitz Black Bears this past weekend. Yakima Valley lost all three games to the Black Bears at home. The Pippins bring in Grand Canyon outfielder Dillon Anderson, who leads the ‘Pips with nine hits. Trenton Rowan and Max Senesac have both hit a home run for Yakima Valley this year. Arizona native Colton LaFave has pitched nine innings. Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s Pearson Pollard has 11 strikeouts for the Pippins in three appearances.
The games against Yakima Valley are scheduled to begin at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Ridgefield will add several players to the roster for the series against the Sweets and the upcoming weekend series against Bend.
Tickets to the home series against Yakima Valley at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC) are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to watch or listen to the games against Yakima Valley will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps