Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
The Ridgefield Raptors found a way back into the win column on Sunday against the Bellingham Bells. With a 5-4 victory in 10 innings at Joe Martin Stadium, the Raptors won their first road game of the year. Now, the Yakima Valley Pippins drift into the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC) on Tuesday, and the Raptors will look to start a win streak.
Ridgefield lost its first two games in the weekend series against Bellingham (5-4). After a 3-1 defeat on Friday and a 4-0 loss on Saturday, Ridgefield (2-6) needed an offensive bounce back and delivered on Sunday. The ‘Raps put up a season high five runs and were aided by strong pitching. Ridgefield’s relief didn’t allow a run, with sophomore Dylan Richardson, righty Carson Kruckman, and Lower Columbia’s Ryan McClaskey involved in the effort. McClaskey earned the save for Ridgefield, allowing just one hit in three innings.
Yakima Valley enters the series having faced the juggernaut Corvallis Knights. The Pippins fell to the Knights 11-0 on Sunday and lost by three on Friday. Yakima Valley (5-4) won Saturday’s game 6-5, giving Corvallis its only loss of the season. The ‘Pips walked the game off when Chaffey College standout Preston Allen singled to bring home catcher Jack Sheward in the ninth inning. Entering the Ridgefield series, Allen leads Yakima’s offense with a .417 batting average, the fifth best mark of all hitters in the West Coast League.
All games in the series are scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. After, the ‘Raps will start a two game home series against the Northwest Star Nighthawks on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets to the series against Yakima Valley at the RORC are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to watch or listen to the games will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps