Cold Bats, Early Deficity Doom Pippins
June 22, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
BELLINGHAM, WA - The Bellingham Bells scored in the first inning, never looking back in a 5-1 win over the Yakima Valley Pippins Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field.
Gavin Velasquez (Cal State Fullerton) took his first loss of the season, allowing five runs in 7.2 innings of work. The Bells (8-6) scored first on a RBI single by Jake Vieth in the opening inning.
After going hitless at the plate over the first three frames, Jay Schuyler (San Diego) came off the bench and delivered the Pippins (10-6) first hit of the night; one of five hits overall.
Velasquez allowed just one run through his first seven innings thanks in large part to seven defensive putouts by third baseman Freddy Smith (Cal State Northridge).
The Pippins would threaten again in the 8th inning as Hunter Hanson (College of Idaho) worked out a leadoff walk, advancing to third on consecutive outs before leadoff hitter Christian Koss (UC Irvine) grounded out to shortstop to end the threat. Bellingham then rallied for four runs of their own, including a 3-run home run from David Banuelos, making the score 5-0.
Drake Atlee (Cal State Northridge) recorded the final out of the 8th inning on his first pitch out of the bullpen. RHP Spencer Howard earned the win for Bellingham in his first start, striking out eight hitters in five scoreless innings.
In the top of the 9th inning, the Pippins would score their first run of the night as Freddy Smith delivered a 2-out RBI single, scoring Jace VanDeBrake (Gonzaga), but nothing else would amount of the threat.
Following the loss, the Pippins and Bells return to action Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Fans can listen to the action live on 1460 ESPN Yakima, the official home for Pippins Baseball.
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West Coast League Stories from June 22, 2016
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- Big Third Inning Propels AppleSox to Road Trip-Opening Win - Wenatchee AppleSox
- Bells Outduel Pippins - Bellingham Bells
- Cold Bats, Early Deficity Doom Pippins - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Ay's Gem, Nyquist RBI Send Sweets to First Extra Innings Win of the Season - Walla Walla Sweets
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