The Ridgefield Raptors (15-12 West Coast League) are coming off a series win against the Cowlitz Black Bears as the Port Angeles Lefties (7-14 WCL) come to town for a three game series running Tuesday-through-Thursday. All three games are at 6:35 p.m. at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Tickets are available online as well as a live audio & video stream at RidgefieldRaptors.com.
The Raptors won Sunday’s rubber match against Cowlitz, 5-2, with home runs by John Peck and Will Chambers to highlight the day. Jaren Hunter went six strong innings with one run allowed as the starting pitcher for the Raptors. Eli Shubert got his second save of the series while pitching at Story Field, his former home stadium when he played for Lower Columbia College. Eli will have another fun series this week, as his wedding is scheduled before Wednesday’s game at the RORC. Show up by 6:15 to watch Eli and his bride-to-be Erin get hitched!
Sunday’s win improved Ridgefield to 15-12 on the year and 2-1 in the second half. Ridgefield could garner its first playoff berth in franchise history by either winning the second half in the Southern Division or by having the second best record on the season if Corvallis wins the second half as well. Corvallis is 5-1 so far in the second half.
The Raptors had a smaller offensive output this past series, including a 3-1 win on the series opener that was the fewest runs the Raptors have scored all year in a win. Ridgefield still leads the West Coast League in runs, hits, doubles, home runs, batting average and slugging percentage. The Raptors’ pitching held up strong, holding Cowlitz to seven runs between the three games.
This is just the second time in team history that Ridgefield will host Port Angeles. Ridgefield won two of three games in 2019, and the Raptors will take their first ever trip up to Port Angeles next week.
Port Angeles is 7-14 on the year, currently with the lowest winning percentage in the league. This is the Lefties’ final series of the first half, while Ridgefield is already playoff second half games. Each division gets two playoff berths, going to the winner of the first half and the winner of the second.
Ridgefield is 9-4 at home this year plus two wins in their most recent home games against Bend that didn’t count in league standings. Including the Bend series, Ridgefield has won five of the last six games.