The Bellingham Bells fell to the Cowlitz Black Bears 3-2 in 11 innings on Tuesday. Bellingham has already clinched a playoff spot, while the win for Cowlitz keeps its playoff hopes alive.

The Black Bears started right away in the 1st against Bells starter Joey Dixon (3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K). The leadoff batter singled, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and was scored on an RBI single. He then stole a base and was scored on another RBI single.

Bellingham held Cowlitz scoreless until the 11th inning. Trevin Hope (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K) cruised through three innings and Kai Francis (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) followed him with two hitless innings.

Bennett Lee cut the deficit in half with a leadoff home run in the 6th inning, his 2nd of the summer. Bellingham tied the game in the 8th. Nick McLain led off with a single, Lee doubled, and Luis Aviles scored McLain on an RBI double.

Greg Blackman (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K) entered a tied ballgame in the 9th, and took the game to the 11th before he was relieved by Carter Parcher. Parcher allowed a leadoff single followed by a successful sacrifice bunt. The next batter grounded out. With two outs, Bellingham put the second baserunner on with an intentional walk, and Parcher then walked the bases loaded. Jacob Stinson brought it home with an RBI infield single.

Bellingham will take on Cowlitz for game two on Wednesday, August 11. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.