The Ridgefield Raptors return to the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex following a long six-game road trip to begin the second half of the West Coast League season. After being swept by the Walla Walla Sweets, the Raptors dropped their first two games against the Yakima Valley Pippins and are looking to bounce back in the final game of the series before returning to the RORC.
Ridgefield, which clinched the WCL South first-half championship, has struggled away from home, losing seven of its last eight road games while falling to 20-12 overall.
The Raptors dropped three close games in Walla Walla, including a 4-3 opener after taking a 3-1 lead behind a solo home run from Isaiah Hearn (Oregon) and an RBI single from Cade Ladehoff (Michigan). The Sweets responded with a three-run sixth inning to take the lead. Walla Walla followed with a 10-7 victory Saturday and a 13-9 win Sunday, despite Ridgefield combining for 17 runs in the final two games.
Ridgefield continued its road trip in Yakima Valley, falling 10-4 in the series opener Tuesday. JT Summers (Oregon) and Zach Wadas (Loyola Marymount) opened the scoring with back-to-back two-out hits in the first inning, but the Pippins responded with eight runs through the first four innings. The Raptors battled late with RBI hits from Bo Rico (Fresno State), Michael Perazzo, and a ninth-inning home run from Carson Luna, but could not complete the comeback.
The Raptors look to avoid a second consecutive road sweep before returning home to host the Portland Pickles in their final WCL home series before next week’s All-Star Game in Victoria.
This season, the Raptors will be sending 5 All Stars to represent Ridgefield – RHP Jordan Haver (Fresno State), OF Isaiah Hearn (Oregon), LHP Parker Heintz (Fresno State), 1B JT Summers (Oregon), and OF Zach Wadas (Loyola Marymount).
Tomorrow’s game features a Rally Bobblehead giveaway presented by C-Tran for the first 500 fans through the gates, along with Fibre Family Friday, where fans can receive $5 off admission with a Fibre Federal Credit Union card.
Saturday brings another Chick-fil-A Saturday to the ballpark! Every fan in attendance will walk away with a FREE Chick-fil-A entree card as they exit the stadium. Plus, a limited amount of Chick-fil-A sandwiches will be available for purchase out of the Rally Wagon in Left Field.
Then on Sunday, the first 300 fans through the gates will receive a pack of Raptors trading cards, courtesy of PeaceHealth. It’s also another Kids in Free Sunday – all kids 12 and under will get into the game for FREE, thanks to PeaceHealth and The Columbian.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with Sunday’s series finale beginning at 1:05 p.m. The Raptors lead the season series against Portland 2-1.
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