BELLINGHAM, WA — Monday, January 20, the Bellingham Bells announced the return of three hitters for the 2025 season. Nate Kirkpatrick, Gavin Long and Noah Cassie all will return to Joe Martin Field this summer.

Nate Kirkpatrick is back after his 2024 breakout season where he was a West Coast League All-Star and tallied the second most hits in Bells history with 72. He was second only to Seattle Mariner Austin Shenton who had 79 in 2017.

Kirkpatrick is set to return to the NCAA Division I level this spring at Virginia Commonwealth University after beginning his career at Saint Mary’s College of California. Last collegiate season Kirkpatrick went international and avoided burning a year of eligibility by playing independent ball in Puerto Rico.

In what will be his third season with the Bells, Kirkpatrick will look to continue the hot hitting he had in 2024 that saw him bat .327 in 220 at-bats. Kirkpatrick belted four home runs last season and led the team with 17 doubles while batting in the second most runs for the Bells.

Gavin Long returns to Bellingham after making a name for himself in 2024. Long debuted for the Bells in late June and became one of the top hitters on the team by August. His .270 batting average was 5th on the team and he had 20 hits in 23 games.

This spring Long will play his first season at NCAA Division I program Utah Tech after transferring from Allan Hancock College. In two years at AHC he was a two-time first team All-Western State Conference North selection and batted .349 during his sophomore season. 

Long brings his lefty swing back to Bellingham and will look to add to a promising 2024 WCL season where he hit one home run in a non-league game last season and overall hit four extra base hits and drove in nine runs while scoring 15.

Noah Cassie is back with the Bells after playing two games early in the 2024 season. Cassie had one hit in his seven at-bats and drove in a run for the Bells.

Entering 2025, Cassie will play the college season at Mineral Area Junior College but is committed to NCAA Division I school Texas A&M Corpus Christi for the 2026 season.

Last year as a Cardinal he hit .341 and blasted 13 home runs that led to an impressive 1.145 OPS. He will join his friend and former teammate, Nate Kirkpatrick, on the Bells again after the two played for the Langley Blaze of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League in 2022.

Cassie’s big right-handed swing adds some pop to Ed Knaggs’ 2025 lineup as the outfielder/first baseman returns to Joe Martin Field this summer.

The Bells begin the 2025 season on the road May 30 at Nanaimo with the home opener on June 3 against Kamloops. Tickets go on sale April 1.