The Ridgefield Raptors responded emphatically after a disappointing home-series loss to the Kamloops NorthPaws, sweeping a three-game road series against the Port Angeles Lefties.
The moist, overcast climate on the Olympic Peninsula couldn’t cool down the visiting Raptors. Ridgefield exploded for 15 hits in Friday night’s 15-2 victory. Four Raptors recorded multiple hits, including a 4-for-5 performance from outfielder Zach Wadas (Loyola Marymount), who hit two doubles and a three-run home run.
Saturday was an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel won by Ridgefield’s Parker Heintz (Fresno State). Heintz threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings before giving way to Cole Schmidt (George Fox) in the fifth. Schmidt finished the game, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings of relief as the Raptors secured a 3-1 victory.
Game 3 was the most competitive of the series. The Lefties scored two pitches into the bottom of the first inning following a leadoff double and a single. Both runners came around to score, giving Port Angeles a 2-0 lead after one inning, but Justin Brown settled in after the rocky start.
The Raptors answered in the second inning, recording back-to-back singles off Lefties starter Jordan Glowinkowski. Gavin Poffenroth (Skagit Valley College) drove in Ridgefield’s first run with an RBI single, and three batters later, Isaiah Hearn (Oregon) tied the game when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Michael Perazzo (Sacramento State) then gave the Raptors the lead with an RBI walk, and Ridgefield never trailed again.
Port Angeles tied the game at 3-3 on a solo home run by Jordan Daniels in the bottom of the second.
With one out and runners on second and third in the fourth inning, Hearn gave the Raptors a 4-3 lead with an RBI groundout to second base.
Cade Ladehoff (Michigan) led off the fifth with a solo home run to left field, extending Ridgefield’s lead to 5-3.
The Lefties cut the Raptors’ lead to 5-4 on Garrett Patterson’s pinch-hit sacrifice fly to center field.
The Raptors added insurance in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs on a dropped fly ball in right field off the bat of JT Summers (Oregon) to take a 7-4 lead.
Declan Francis (Western Kentucky) shined in his Ridgefield debut, earning the win with four scoreless innings of relief.
The Raptors return home this week to host the Yakima Valley Pippins and a loaded promotional slate.
Tuesday night’s game features $3 Tuesday. Fans can enjoy $3 grass berm tickets, hot dogs, nachos, domestic canned beer and bottled soda. In addition, the first 130 fans to order at the main concessions stand behind home plate will receive a free $3 item of their choice, courtesy of Washington’s Lottery.
Wednesday is Ridgefield School District Night. Celebrate the unofficial start of summer vacation with a night out at the RORC. All Ridgefield School District students, teachers and staff will receive free admission with valid identification, courtesy of Fairway’s First Team. Fans can also enjoy performances by the Union Ridge Tater Tot Choir and another Columbia Credit Union Community Wednesday.
Thursday features Little League Night and Trading Card Giveaway No. 1. The first 300 fans through the gates will receive a pack of Raptors trading cards presented by PeaceHealth. In addition, youth baseball and softball players who arrive in their team uniforms will receive free admission.
Fans can purchase tickets for the series against the Pippins at ridgefieldraptors.com. Live video and audio coverage will also be available at ridgefieldraptors.com/stream.