WCL Yakima Valley Pippins

Bells Take Final Game in Thrilling Series

July 25, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release


YAKIMA, Wash. - If the Yakima Valley Pippins and Bellingham Bells meet in the playoffs, very few baseball fans would likely be disappointed after the series the two teams just completed. The Bells rounded out the exciting three-game set Thursday night with a late rally to win, 6-5 at County Stadium.

Early on, the Pippins (22-17) appeared to run away with the game, scoring five runs in the 2 nd inning. Laz Villa started the scoring with an RBI double. Justin Jacobs and Shawn Wardian each followed with RBI singles, before Mitch Skaggs sent a two-run double to left-center field to make it 5-0.

However, the Bells (28-10) got right back in the ballgame with four runs in the top of the 3 rd. Lou Della Fera began the scoring onslaught against Pippins starter Austin Woodward with an RBI single before back-to-back RBI doubles by Dustin Breshears and Scott Heath brought the Bells within a run.

As Woodward and Bellingham relievers Dan Ludwig and Ryan McMonigle settled in, the game remained scoreless until the 7 th inning. After Bellingham's Nate Anderson drew a leadoff walk against reliever Kenny Rosenberg, he would work his way around the bases, ultimately scoring on an RBI groundout by Breshears to tie the game.

Rosenberg eluded a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 8 th, but wasn't so fortunate in the 9 th. The lefty hit leadoff man Lou Della Fera before a sacrifice bunt pushed him to 2 nd base and a wild pitch advanced him to 3 rd. That's when Heath delivered the go-ahead single to put the Bells up for the first time Thursday night. The Bells got all six RBIs Thursday from the top three spots in the order.

Like they did Wednesday, the Pippins mounted a rally in the bottom of the 9 th against Bells' closer David Bigelow, getting pinch runner Nick Kern to 3 rd base with 2 outs, but Shawn Wardian grounded out to end the game.

The Bells picked up the series win, sending the Pippins to their sixth loss in the last seven league contests. With Wenatchee's win, the Pippins only hold a one-game lead in the WCL East Division. They will return to division play Friday, heading north of the border to Kelowna, BC for their second showdown this season with the Falcons. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and Eli Morgan is expected to make the start for Yakima Valey.



West Coast League Stories from July 25, 2014


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