Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
The Ridgefield Raptors enjoyed a day off Friday but will jump outside of West Coast League play this weekend. Starting on Saturday, the ‘Raps welcome in the Northwest Star Nighthawks for a two-game series.
The Raptors (3-8) made history at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC) on Tuesday night, as a trio of ‘Raps pitchers did not allow a hit to the Yakima Valley Pippins. Pepperdine’s Dylan Stewart tossed the first five innings, earning seven strikeouts along the way. Portland’s Curtis Hebert tossed two innings and Chaminade’s Mac Elske closed out the eighth and ninth innings.
Countering the ‘Raps first no-hitter in franchise history, the Pippins battled back in Game 2 with a 10-4 victory and followed up with a 3-0 win in Game 3 as the Yakima Valley offense notched 13 hits on Thursday.
Olympic college standout Quentin Moreland has not allowed a run in 7.2 innings this season, with appearances against Yakima Valley, Bellingham, Edmonton and Portland. Offensively, Utah Valley catcher Luke Iverson has one home run and five doubles this season. Fresno State’s Justin Stransky leads the ‘Raps with a .333 batting average.
Northwest Star (0-3), a prep team made of developing amateurs, has played three non-league games this season against West Coast League opponents. The Nighthawks lost to the Corvallis Knights on May 23 by seven runs (8-1). The prep team is winless in two games against the Cowlitz Black Bears, though the ‘Hawks lost by just one run in their last game against the Black bears (4-3).
The Nighthawks are led by second baseman Tyler Eisenhut in their two non-league games this season. Eisenhut has two hits in five at bats and Shortstop Danner Hamburg has stolen two bases. Pitchers Riley Fenser, Ian Hillman and Bryce Dodge have not allowed a run in a combined 7.2 innings.
Saturday’s game is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m. while Sunday’s matinee is set to begin at 1:05 p.m.
Tickets to the home series against Northwest Star 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