The Bellingham Bells improved to 4-1 on the season with an 8-2 win over the Kamloops NorthPaws Wednesday, June 4 at Joe Martin Field. The Bells took advantage of 11 walks by the NorthPaws to earn the series win over their North Division opponents.

Chihiro Sato started this game for the Bells and surrendered a run in the first inning after Elijah Clayton was walked and stole second, third and home to take the 1-0 lead early.

The Bells didn’t need a hit to score four runs in the first inning, seven walks led to the four-run first and just like that the game flipped. Bellingham scored another run in the second inning when Alex Fernandes advanced home on a wild pitch after reaching on a single earlier in the inning.

Sato finished three innings with the lone run allowed and surrendered three walks and two hits. He struck out two. Devyn Hernandez took over in relief for his second appearance this season.

The Bells extended their lead in the fifth inning with a hit-by-pitch and bunt single to begin the inning. Fernandes hit into a groundout that scored a run and Nico Azpilcueta hit an RBI-single to go ahead 7-1.

Hernandez surrendered one run in the sixth and finished his three relief innings with three hits and one walk allowed. He struck out two and earned the win after allowing the one run.

Will Franklin made his 2025 debut in his third season with the Bells with two scoreless innings. Franklin shoved and struck out five NorthPaws over the six outs he gained. He only allowed one hit and a walk.

In the bottom of the eighth, Noah Cassie hit a deep fly ball to center field that Ethan Kodama lost in the Bellingham Night sky, which allowed Cassie to get a triple on a ball that is usually catchable. Chris Clement grounded out, but Cassie scored and gave the Bells an 8-2 lead.

Preston Watkins finished the NorthPaws in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning where he struck out two. The Bells improved to 4-1 and hold a 2-0 advantage over the NorthPaws in the three-game series.

Bellingham and Kamloops play the final game of the series at 6:35 p.m. tomorrow, June 5 at Joe Martin Field. The Bells will then be on the road against Edmonton for a weekend series.

This game recap is presented by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.