Oregon's Nick Wagner delivers RBI single in the bottom of the 9th, Elks Beat Bells 5-4
June 15, 2011 - West Coast League (WCL)
Bend Elks News Release
In what was a crazy finish to an otherwise quick game, Oregon Duck Nick Wagner delivered a bases loaded single in the bottom of the 9th off of former Elk Richie Ochoa to lift the Elks to victory against the Bellingham Bells by a score of 5-4.
The Elks looked to be in control early on as they scored their first run in the bottom of the 3rd after Derek Blankenship hit a single, stole second, and then scored on an RBI single from Cullen Hendrickson. The Elks scored again in the 5th as Riley Tompkins led off the inning by reaching on an error, advanced to 2nd on a sac bunt from Justin Maffei, then scored as Cullen Hendrickson delivered his second RBI, this time a double into left center to extend the lead 2-0. The Bells got on the board in the top of the 6th as reliever Brandon Snyder struggled with his command, walking leadoff hitter Eric Lane, giving up a single to Patrick Gallagher, then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-1.
Each team managed a run in the 7th inning; the Bells got theirs in the top half after Cody Hastings led off the inning with a double, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch from Elks reliever Jason Wilson, then scored on an RBI single from Eric Lane. The Elks matched it in the bottom half of the 7th after Justin Maffei drew a leadoff walk, stole 2nd, advanced to third on a balk from Bells pitcher Tyler Spear, then scored on a passed ball. The Elks would add another run in the bottom of the 8th as Bo Walter drew a walk, then so did Kyle Buchanan, and then Kyle Mauch, pinch running for Walter, would score from 2nd on a single from Toby Demello to extend the lead 4-2. That seemed to be the end of the game, but was far from the end.
The Bells Ryan Moore drew a one out walk, then with 2 outs, Andy Fortuna hit a routine fly ball into centerfield that Elks fielder Justin Maffei lost in the lights, letting it drop, allowing Moore to score and for Fortuna to advance to third. Then the next hitter hit a routine pop-up on the infield that again, looked very playable, but again was lost in the lights, allowing Fortuna to score and tying the game at 4. Then, in the bottom of the 9th, Justin Maffei drew a leadoff walk, Derek Blankenship sacrificed him over to 2nd, then Cullen Hendrickson hit an easy pop up just over the shoulder of Bells shortstop Ryan Moore, but he dropped it, allowing Maffei to advance to third and Hendrickson to advance safely. After Hendrickson took 2nd on defensive indifference, the Bells intentionally walked Shawn O ¬â¢Brien. This brought up pinch-hitter Wagner, who sent the 1-1 pitch from 2010 Bend Elk Richie Ochoa deep into centerfield for an RBI single, sending the over 2,500 Elks fans home with a walk-off 5-4 victory.
The Elks will play Game 2 of the 3 game series against Bellingham tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. for Free Kids Wednesdays, where all kids 12 and under will receive free admission into the ballgame.
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West Coast League Stories from June 15, 2011
- Wild Finish Ends In Sweets Favor, 6-4 - Walla Walla Sweets
- Black Bears Can't Hold 2-0 Lead - Cowlitz Black Bears
- Oregon's Nick Wagner delivers RBI single in the bottom of the 9th, Elks Beat Bells 5-4 - Bend Elks
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