Late Rally Falls Short, Pippins Fall to Ridgefield, 4-3
June 21, 2023 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
A late-inning rally came up short and spoiled the return of Yakima Valley starter Tyler Frieders as the Pippins fell to Ridgefield, 4-3, Tuesday night at Yakima County Stadium.
Trailing 4-0, the Pippins got on the board in the seventh with a pair of runs plated by Mike Woodward's two-out single. The third scored on Blake Balsz' two-out single off the right-field wall in the eighth, but Balsz was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double on a on-the-money throw by Ridgefield right fielder Trent Prokes before CJ Colyer could cross the plate with the tying run.
Otherwise, Balsz had an exceptional night at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 and collecting more than half of the Pippins' seven hits.
Frieders, who pitched for the Pippins in 2021 and 2022, struck out two and walked four in 5.2 innings in his 2023 debut. The right-hander allowed five hits, and only two of the four runs against him were earned.
Cole Sheehan went 2-for-3 with a two-run double for the Raptors in the sixth.
Evan Hamberger came on in relief of Frieders and looked sharp, striking out two and only allowing one hit.
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