BELLINGHAM, WA — Monday, February 20, the Bellingham Bells announced the additions of three new players to the 2026 roster. Bo Shinkle, an outfielder from Gonzaga, is joining the Bells along with two University of Puget Sound players — Charlie Decker and Matt Churchill.

Bo Shinkle is a junior outfielder from Gonzaga and is in his first season with the Bulldogs after an illustrious season at Johnson County Community College. Shinkle is a left-handed hitter from Blue Valley Southwest High School in Kansas.

Shinkle began his collegiate career at Kent State University. As a sophomore at Johnson County CC, Shinkle was the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Player of the Year after hitting .385 with 82 runs, 59 RBIs and 34 steals in 61 games. He also earned a gold glove with a perfect fielding percentage.

In 2025, he played in the Northwoods League for the Badlands Big Sticks where he hit .290 with 25 steals and 22 runs in 31 games. He also has experience in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. This summer, Shinkle heads to Bellingham for his WCL debut.

Charlie Decker is joining the Bells 2026 roster from the University of Puget Sound as a left-handed pitcher in his junior season with the Loggers. Decker is coming off a sophomore season at Puget Sound where he pitched 66 innings with a 4.77 ERA. 

He’s in his third overall season with the Loggers after posting a 3.86 ERA as a freshman in seven appearances and has made one start in the 2026 season. The last two summers Decker has played in the California Collegiate League for the Conejo Oaks. 

In 52.2 summer innings he’s collected 53 strikeouts and posted a 2.91 ERA. Decker brings variety to the Bells bullpen as a lefty, and we’re looking forward to seeing the Chaminade Prep alum shine on the Bells pitching staff.

Matt Churchill is a sophomore catcher from the University of Puget Sound. Last season with the Loggers, Churchill got 71 at bats and posted a .254 average while slugging half his hits for extra bases with five home runs and four doubles. 

This season, Churchill is already off to a hot start with four extra-base hits — including two home runs — in the Loggers’ first four games. He’s hitting .462 through his first 13 at bats of the 2026 season.

Hopefully the right-handed batting catcher stays hot until summer when he joins the Bells for the upcoming season. As a Chaminade Prep alum, Churchill joins his high school and current UPS teammate Charlie Decker on the Bells for a summer in Bellingham.

The Bells open the 2026 season on the road March 29 at Kelowna but host Wenatchee for the home opener on June 2 at 6:35 p.m.