The Ridgefield Raptors clinched their first West Coast League road series of the second half, taking two of three games from the Bend Elks, including a 31-0 victory Sunday night.
The Raptors fell 7-6 in 10 innings Friday night. The Elks loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning and plated two runs, then added two more in the second and another in the third to build a 5-0 lead after three innings.
The Raptors cut into the deficit with a four-run top of the sixth, highlighted by an RBI single from Braden Watson (Evansville) and Isaiah Hearn’s (Oregon) fifth home run of the season.
The Elks answered with a run in the seventh after a one-out single, extending their lead to 6-4.
In the eighth, Josh Proctor (Oregon State) reached on a one-out error and later scored on Hearn’s chopper to third, bringing Ridgefield within one at 6-5.
Jackson Weber (Arizona State) led off the top of the ninth with a double, and Michael Perazzo (Kent State) drove him home with an RBI single to tie the game.
The Raptors failed to score in the 10th despite starting the inning with runners on first and second and nobody out.
The Elks then loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th. Catcher Nate Snakenborg delivered a walk-off single to left field to give Bend a 7-6 victory.
Saturday’s game was a pitchers’ duel. Both teams scored in the second inning before the game remained tied 1-1 until the ninth.
Watson continued his torrid stretch at the plate, going 9-for-15 over the weekend with seven RBIs and three extra-base hits.
The Raptors broke through in the top of the ninth with four hits, including Hearn’s go-ahead RBI double to make it 2-1. Reagan McCluskey (Dallas Baptist) followed with an RBI single to right for an insurance run, and Reid Farrell (Fresno State) added another RBI to extend the lead to 4-1.
Aaron Louis (Portland) closed the door with his first save of the season against his former team.
Sunday’s 31-0 victory set a new single-game West Coast League scoring record, surpassing the Raptors’ previous franchise record of 23 runs against Walla Walla in 2022. Ridgefield collected 27 hits, with every starter recording at least one hit and eight of the nine starters finishing with multiple hits.
The Raptors’ pitching staff also recorded its first shutout in three weeks (a 3-0 win over Springfield on June 28) and carries momentum into its six-game homestand beginning tomorrow night against the Marion Berries and the Elks this weekend.
The regular season is winding down, but the promotions are heating up.
Wednesday’s 6:35 p.m. game is the Raptors first Christmas in July Toy Drive at the RORC, presented by Columbia Credit Union! Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys that can be donated to those in need this upcoming holiday season. Any fan who brings a toy will get FREE admission into the game! Plus, fans can enjoy holiday music throughout the game and can take photos with Santa Rally!
Thursday is First Responder Night and the First Responder Jersey Auction, presented by Riverview Bank. Join the Raptors for the sixth annual First Responders Night as they celebrate and honor local first responders. The team will wear special commemorative jerseys featuring patches from multiple Clark County first responder agencies. These one-of-a-kind jerseys will be auctioned off during the game, with all proceeds benefiting Kindness 911.
Friday, July 24th is the return of the Raptors post-game drone show presented by Hampton Auto Glass! Head to the ballpark early to pick up a pair of thundersticks (first 500 fans) and stay late for the nightime spectacular!
Fans can visit ridgefieldraptors.com to purchase tickets for this week’s homestand against the Marion Berries and Bend Elks. The livestream to watch or listen to the games will be available at ridgefieldraptors.com/stream.