Box Score

VICTORIA — The Bellingham Bells dropped their second game in a row against the Victoria HarbourCats with a 6-2 loss at Wilson’s Group Stadium on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The Bells, at 18-8, remain tied for first in the North Division with Wenatchee heading into the final game of the first half tomorrow. Bellingham would need a win and an AppleSox loss to clinch a playoff spot.

The first three innings of Saturday’s game on June 27 was a pitcher’s duel. Bellingham’s starter Parker Warner tossed three scoreless innings and only allowed two hits and a walk while recording two strikeouts. 

Cal Young entered for the bottom of the fourth inning on the mound and allowed four runs on four hits and gave up a solo home run. Adam Jay trudged through the rest of the inning and gave up one run on three hits. 

Braden Blackwell pitched a scoreless fifth, but allowed a run in the sixth inning. Down 6-0, the Bells scored their first runs in the top of the seventh after loading the bases on a leadoff error and singles by Noah Cassie and Bryce Johnson. Matt Churchill and Tyler Peshke had RBI groundouts.

Blackwell recorded the first out in the seventh, but after issuing a walk he was replaced by Gavin Hasche on the hill. Hasche finished the seventh and eighth innings scoreless, but Bellingham fell 6-2.

The offense struggled with 10 strikeouts at the plate and only recorded five hits. Johnson and KG Hattori both had two hits each and Cassie’s single was the only other knock. The Bells are still in contention for the first half North Division title with Wenatchee also suffering a loss tonight to Walla Walla. If Bellingham wins tomorrow and Wenatchee loses, the Bells are guaranteed a playoff spot.