Taylor Elman throws 5 scoreless innings, Seth Spivey with 2 run home run as Elks defeat Black Bears
July 21, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Bend Elks News Release
Taylor Elman got the start and threw 5 scoreless innings for the Bend Elks on Saturday, Seth Spivey hit a 2 run home run for the first runs of the game, and The Elks secured a series victory over the Cowlitz Black Bears, defeating Cowlitz 5-2.
Bend (22-14) got on the scoreboard first in the top of the 3rd inning as Zach Close reached on an error by Cowlitz 3rd baseman Paul Martinez, and Seth Spivey executed a hit and run better then could be asked, as he hit a 2 run home run into right centerfield, his 2nd of the summer, as the Elks lead early 2-0.
Bend would add on 2 more runs in the top of the 4th inning as Grant Newton and Tyler Servais singled to open up the frame against Cowlitz starter Zach Wilkins (2-2) to put men on the corners with nobody out. Kyle Giusti followed wiht a perfectly executed safety squeeze for a 3-0 lead. After Keach Ballard singled to put runners on the corners with one away, Zach Close bounced into a fielder's choice that scored Grant Newton to give the Elks a 4-0 lead.
That would prove to be more than enough for Taylor Elman and the Bend Elks pitching staff. Elman (4-0) earned his 4th win of the summer for the Elks, pitching 5 scoreless innings, giving up a 2 out single in the top of the 1st to Devyn Bolasky, one of only 2 hits in the ball game for the Black Bears. Elman gave up only 1 hit, walking 3 and striking out 4 as the Elks pitching staff only 2 hits for the second consecutive ballgame.
The Elks added a 5th run in the top of the 6th inning as Grant Newton and Kyle Giusti singled to open the inning, Keach Ballard bounced into a fielder's choice, and Zach Close hit a blooper into right field that proved to be deep enough for a sacrifice fly, scoring Newton as Bend lead 5-0 after 5 and 1/2 innings.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Eric Melbostad relieved Elman, but struggled with command, walking 3 of the 5 hitters face, loading the bases with 1 away and left with a 5-1 lead. Cam Booser relieved Eric and after inducing a pop up from Dillon Ness, allowed a 2nd run to score in the inning on a wild pitch with Martinez at the plate, and it was 5-2 Elks after 6 innings.
The Elks pitching staff took care of the business the rest of the way as Michael Jordan pitched out of a jam after walking 2 batters in the 7th inning, and Xavier Borde pitched 2 scorless innings to earn his 1st save of the summer of the Elks, inducing a groundout back to him from Austin Grebek to end the game, securing the 4th win of the summer for the Elks against the Black Bears on the summer, and securing a series win over Cowlitz (18-17) at Story Field, who lost for just the 6th time all summer at home.
The Bend Elks will look for a sweep at Story Field over the Cowlitz Black Bears on Sunday as they send Warm Springs, Oregon native Martin Brown to the mound, making his first start for the Elks in 2013, first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
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West Coast League Stories from July 21, 2013
- Rogues Win Sixth Straight, Move into Third - Medford Rogues
- 6 Run 9th gives Elks 3 game sweep over Cowlitz Black Bears - Bend Elks
- Late Rogue Run in 7th Inning Sinks Gems, 3-2 - Klamath Falls Gems
- Bells Use 8th Inning Rally to Knock off Walla - Bellingham Bells
- Kelowna Falcons Win Saturday Night - Kelowna Falcons
- Bells Out-Last Sweets in Saturday - Walla Walla Sweets
- Taylor Elman throws 5 scoreless innings, Seth Spivey with 2 run home run as Elks defeat Black Bears - Bend Elks
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