Written by Raptors Broadcaster Hunter Shumake
After being on the road for a week, the Ridgefield Raptors will return home to the
Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex to face the Cowlitz Black Bears for a three game
series. The Raps return home to the RORC after trekking across the state to Walla Walla and
down into Portland. Going into game three of the Portland series, both the Raptors and
Cowlitz sit at 5-6 in the West Coast League.
With Cowlitz coming to Ridgefield, it will not be the first time the two teams have seen each
other this year. Both clubs kicked off their seasons on June 1st at the RORC for a non-league
game where Ridgefield bested Cowlitz 10-6 in the season opener. This series will be the
βirst countable games for both teams in their pursuit of the WCL playoffs; however, it will be
games two, three, and four of the seven game battle for the Columbia River Cup. The
Columbia River Cup is the best of seven series played between Cowlitz and Ridgefield over
the course of the season to determine which team totes the title of Champion of the
Columbia River. Ridgefield is 1-0 against Cowlitz after the non-league win on opening day.
Since being back at home, the Raptors have been greeted by a slew of new faces. In total,
there are seven new additions to the Raptors roster who have yet to play a game at the
RORC which includes: Reiss Calvin, Joseph Jasso, Sawyer Parkin, Jake Geiss, Nick Seamons,
Quincy Scott, Peyson Sweeney, and Jackson Nicklaus.
For Ridgefield, the expected starters for this weekend will be a trio of right handers. In
game one, Dylan Stewart is expected to start after he picked up a win in Walla Walla in his
last outing. Jake Geiss, who has had one appearance this year, will get his βirst start in game
two versus Cowlitz. In the final game of the series, Eastyn Culp will get his third start of the
year.
For the Black Bears, their offense is led by Sam Canton #17 and Carter Monda #7. Both
Canton and Monda are hitting over .300 on the year and both have double digit hits.
Defensively, Jayden Vinson #31 will likely get a start on the mound for Cowlitz. This year,
Vinson has thrown 10 innings, giving up 10 hits and only 1 earned run. In addition, Bjorn
Johnson will likely be used by the Black Bears. Johnson this year has thrown 9 innings, with
only 2 hits and no runs being scored.
The Raptors will be back at the RORC on Friday, June 16th to start a three game home stand.
The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM PDT. For more information, visit
ridgefieldraptors.com. #GoRaps