Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
The Ridgefield Raptors are geared up for another West Coast League (WCL) series after winning the Columbia River Cup against the Cowlitz Black Bears. Their opponent this weekend will be the Portland Pickles, who are playing the Raptors for the third time this season.
In the first two games of a three-game series against the Black Bears this week, the Raptors won twice and shutout Cowlitz on Tuesday, 12-0. With four wins against the Black Bears this year, the Raptors (18-26) have won the season-long series against Cowlitz (14-27), the Columbia River Cup.
California Santa Barbara commit Dawson Downs had two hits in Game 1 against Cowlitz, and followed up with four hits, two doubles and three RBI on Wednesday night. Winning pitcher Max Fraser started Wednesday, giving up just one run in six innings. On Tuesday, Zach Todd, Moe Escobedo, Dillon Kirksey and Ryan McClaskey all worked to pitch a shutout.
Portland has the best record in the WCL (33-6), and the Pickles beat the Springfield Drifters on Tuesday and Wednesday. In both games, the Pickles scored double digit runs, and the offense leads the WCL with 333 runs, 8.5 per game.
Outfielder Josh Schleichardt (Oregon) leads Portland with 46 hits. The power hitter is one home run away from setting a new WCL record for home runs in a single season, which would be 16. Schleichardt is three RBI away from tying the WCL record for RBIs in a single season (54).
UC Davis pitcher Carter Speights has yet to give up a run in 13 innings for the Pickles. George Fox starter Ryder Edwards has struck out 25 batters this season, which leads Portland’s staff.
Friday’s game will start at 6:35 p.m., and Saturday’s game will start at the same time. On Sunday, first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Fans can go to ridgefieldraptors.com to purchase tickets to the upcoming home games against Portland at the RORC. The live stream to watch or listen to the games against Portland will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps