Box Score

BELLINGHAM — The Bellingham Bells fell in a 7-4 loss to the Kelowna Falcons on Tuesday, July 21 at Joe Martin Field. Bellingham held Kelowna scoreless for the final four innings, but fell just shy of a comeback victory. The two teams will decide their series in tomorrow’s game at 6:35 p.m. 

The Falcons led 3-0 following the first inning after Bells starter Lathan Haywood let in the game’s first run with two outs. An error on Bellingham’s defense extended the inning for Kelowna and they drove in two more runs that went unearned against Haywood.

Bo Shinkle began a two-run second inning for Bellingham with an RBI base hit that scored Matt Churchill, who had doubled, and Rominic Quiban had a sacrifice fly to score Shinkle and make the score 3-2.

Kelowna immediately got those two runs back in the top of the third inning and led 5-2 following a three-inning start by Haywood. The Stetson pitcher allowed five hits and no walks for five runs (three earned) and was tagged with his second loss of the summer.

The Bells loaded the bases in the fourth and fifth innings, but their only run in those frames came on a balk in the fourth. Kelowna forced Bellingham to leave nine batters on base Tuesday night.

Kenneth Johnson gave up one run in the fourth and fifth innings after his own two errors on pick-off throws helped baserunners advance in both innings and eventually score. Johnson allowed four walks and two hits for two unearned runs.

Nate Johnson gave the Bells their fourth run of the night with a run-scoring single in the seventh. Will Crain tossed two scoreless innings and only allowed two hits while striking out one. Cal Young finished the game in the eighth and ninth and faced the minimum with the help of two strikeouts.

The Bells got two baserunners on in the ninth and had the tying run at the plate with only one out. Nate Johnson hit into a lineout at second base and Bryce Johnson was caught off of first base for a game-ending double play.

Jaden Jackson, Bo Shinkle and Tyler Peshke all had two-hit nights as Bellingham outhit the Falcons 11-9. Shinkle, Quiban and Nate Johnson each had an RBI and Churchill, Shinkle, Peshke and Rashad Hayes scored the four runs.

Bellingham and Kelowna face off at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 to determine the series winner of the North Division showdown.