Pippins Use Big Ninth to Claim Win
June 17, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
BEND, OR - The Yakima Valley Pippins utilized a 7-run 9th inning for insurance, holding off the Bend Elks for the series win, 12-9, Thursday night inside Vince Genna Stadium.
Gavin Velasquez (Cal State Fullerton) earned his second win of the season, pitching seven innings allowing two runs (zero earned) while striking out four. The Pippins jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the 4th inning as Jack Sandberg (San Diego) delivered an RBI single before the Elks would respond with two runs of their own in the bottom half.
Entering the top of the 7th inning, the game was tied, 2-2, until Christian Koss (UC Irvine) led off with one of his five hits on the night. The Pippins (9-2) would score two runs in that inning, adding another run in the 8th on an RBI single from Koss, who finished 5-6 at the plate.
Leading 5-2 entering the final frame, the Pippins manufactured an impressive one-out rally as seven straight men reached base, resulting in a 7-run inning. Trent Schulte (Gonzaga) allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings pitched after a scoreless 8th inning, and then Connor Lau (Central Washington) recorded the final out of the ballgame, striking out Zach Moeller to end the record 13-run final frame.
Jay Schuyler (San Diego) finished 2-5 at the plate, while Chris Ceballos (Cal State Fullerton) added a two-hit effort and two runs scored. Hunter Hanson (College of Idaho) and Michael Filia (UC Irvine) both scored twice for the Pippins, who now improve to 7-1 on the road this season.
Following the win, the Pippins are now 3-0 against the Bend Elks sending Yakima native Jens Jensen to the rubber searching for the series sweep on Friday night. Fans can listen to the action live on 1460 ESPN Yakima, the official home for Yakima Valley Pippins Baseball.
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