Elks Beat Blue Jackets 5-4
June 25, 2011 - West Coast League (WCL)
Bend Elks News Release
The Bend Elks returned home Friday night for the first time in a week, and would not send the home fans disappointed. Despite the fact that Kitsap scored a run in the top of the 9th to tie the game and send it to the home half, the Elks were able to rally. Elks Designated Hitter Bo Walter hit into a fielder's choice with one out, but the throw from Kitsap 2nd baseman Matt Forgatch, who was attempting to retire Walter and end the inning, was thrown wild into the Elks dugout, and Donald Collins came around to score the winning run as the Elks beat the Kitsap Blue Jackets 5-4.
Kitsap got on the bored 1st by scoring 1 in the top of the first off Elks starter Nick Stiltner. Stiltner didn't have his best stuff, but got through 4 innings, giving up 7 hits and striking out 6. The Elks responded with 2 in the bottom of the 2nd, thanks to 2 doubles and an RBI single in the inning. Kitsap scored 1 in the 3rd and 4th to take a 3-2 lead, but the Elks would score 2 in the bottom of the 4th to make it 4-3 thanks to Tyler Christian's 2 run home run, the Elks first home run at Vince Genna Stadium this season. That would be all of the scoring until the 9th inning, when Kitsap would execute a squeeze with runners on 2nd and 3rd to tie the game at 4. The Elks then got a leadoff walk from Collins to start the 9th, a sacrifice bunt from Ryan Dunn moved him to 2nd, then an intentional walk to pinch hitter Toby Demello put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Bo Walter, the leading hitter in the West Coast League, hit a hard ground ball to short that seemed to be doomed to be a double play to end the inning, but the wild throw let Collins score and the Elks sent the over 1500 fans home happy on Cap Night.
The 10-6 Elks, riding a 5 game winning streak, will return to Vince Genna Stadium tomorrow for Game 2 of the series, 1st pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
West Coast League Stories from June 25, 2011
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- Rockets Forward Shane McColgan Drafted by The New York Rangers - Kelowna Falcons
- Walla Walla drops 5th straight, 5-2 - Walla Walla Sweets
- Black Bears Win in Front of Capacity Crowd - Cowlitz Black Bears
- Elks Beat Blue Jackets 5-4 - Bend Elks
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