Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
As the sun rolls around the Pacific Northwest in a warmer July, the Raptors fly back to the nest from Portland on All-Star week. The Raptors will play a shortened doubleheader on Monday night against the Cowlitz Black Bears.
The Raptors have been in a weekend battle against the Portland Pickles in the Rose City. The Pickles won 6-3 on Friday and beat the Raptors on Saturday 6-4.
South Korean native Jiyeong Park made his debut for the Raptors on July 10 against Corvallis, throwing 1.2 innings. The right-hander allowed just one run and one hit. Central Washington catcher Jake Lockwood walked in his debut in the same game.
The Black Bears played the Northwest Star Nighthawks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Cowlitz won on Friday, 11-3 and on Saturday, 8-7. The Black Bears are 12-21 against the West Coast League (WCL) this season but 5-2 in the second half, putting them in the thick of the South Division race.
Cowlitz sent one player to the All-Star game, Skagit Valley’s Gavin Poffenroth. The outfielder leads the Black Bears with 30 hits and 15 walks. The outfielder has been helped by Southern California’s Matt Priest, who leads Cowlitz with three home runs.
Starter Matthew Sherwood leads Cowlitz in innings (26) and stands second in strikeouts (16). Washington State’s Ryan Falke owns a 2.28 ERA in seven appearances for the Black Bears.
The first game against Cowlitz will resume at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The game will start with Cowlitz up 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. The second game will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Fans can go to ridgefieldraptors.com to purchase tickets to the upcoming home games against Cowlitz and Northwest Star at the RORC. The live stream to watch or listen to the games against Cowlitz and Northwest Star will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps