The Bellingham Bells defeated the Edmonton Riverhawks 3-2 in 18 innings in a near six-hour long baseball game. With the win, the Bells evened the series against Edmonton and will play the rubber match at 12:05 p.m local time.

There were 17 runners left on base for Bellingham in the marathon game as the score stood 2-2 for an extra nine innings before the Bells were finally able to cash in a runner on base.

Edmonton and Bellingham had 12 hits as a team and the Riverhawks deployed nine pitchers from their bullpen. The Bells were able to get great length from four arms in the win.

Ivan Rodriguez started for the Bells and was tagged for a run in the first inning. Cayden Wotipka doubled in the fourth to tie the game, but Rodriguez surrendered his second run in the bottom of the inning.

Overall Rodriguez pitched five innings and gave up eight hits while striking out no Riverhawks. Preston Watkins took over for the next three innings and the Bells tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Bobby Pierce Jr.

Watkins pitched three no-hit innings and struck out four. Tyler Biddinger entered and was stretched out for five relief innings, pitching until the 14th inning when Chihiro Sato entered. Biddinger finished five innings with six strikeouts and two hits allowed.

The Bells put runners in scoring position multiple times during extra-innings, but finally sent one home in the 18th inning on an RBI double by Bobby Pierce Jr.

Sato earned the win with two hits and three walks allowed over his five scoreless relief innings where he struck out one. Gavin Long was 3-for-8 at the plate and led the team in hits. Nate Kirkpatrick went 2-for-7 with two runs scored and Pierce Jr. led the team in RBI with two on his 1-for-7 night.

The Bells will rest up, as much as they can after ending the game near midnight in Edmonton, and will play for a series win tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.

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