Despite going silent after six runs between the first and second innings, the Bellingham Bells held on to a 6-4 victory against the Northwest Star Nighthawks Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field. Bells shortstop Elijah Hainline continued his impressive hitting campaign to start the season, going 2-4 with a double and a run.

The first three in the Bells lineup scored to start the game, capped off by Jo Stevens hitting a two-run double for runs four and five of the first inning. In the second, the Bells’ new additions from Tulane made their presence known. Second baseman Gavin Schulz reached second on an error by the Hawks, then scored on a groundout by his college teammate, right fielder Teo Banks, to put the Bells up 6-1.

After the Hawks scored three runs between the fourth and fifth, Bells reliever Jack Erdman pitched three shutout innings. Erdman, who celebrated his 20th birthday today, chalked up five strikeouts in his excellent season debut for the Bells.

Erdman (1-0) took the win for the Bells, with Noah Meffert picking up the save, as they improve to 4-2 on the season. The Hawks drop to 1-1 in non-league play, with starter Logan Geiszler taking the loss (0-1). The two teams will play one more game Wednesday night at 6:35 in Joe Martin Field.