The Bellingham Bells defeated the Kamloops NorthPaws 11-1 in game three of a three-game series on June 6 at Norbrock Stadium in Kamloops, British Columbia. The Bells improved to 3-3 in the 2024 season.

Offense was not an issue today for the Bells as they put up their 11 runs on 12 hits. The Bells did not have an extra-base hit but were walked 10 times and stole five bases as a team.

The high scoring day started in the very first inning of the contest. Nate Kirkpatrick hit a sacrifice fly that scored Anthony Kodama who led off the game with a walk. 

The Bells would add another run in the third inning after a single by Kirkpatrick that drove in Trent Mallonee, who reached on a hit.

Along with great offense, the pitching staff delivered a gem in the Bells third win of the season. Bells starter Ryan Beitel went six innings with no runs allowed. Beitel allowed only one hit and one walk with five strikeouts in the quality start. 

Three runs came across in the fifth inning for the Bells to give the team a commanding 5-0 lead over the NorthPaws.

In that fifth inning Kodama scored due to an error by NorthPaws first baseman Nolan Austin. Conner Smith followed that up by hitting a two RBI single to center field.  Smith leads the Bells in batting average with .421 and has the second most RBI on the team with five. The Santa Clara commit is having a great start to the summer season.

The NorthPaws were able to put up one run against Nathan Van Beek in the seventh inning but the Bells offense would explode for six runs in the eighth to secure a blowout victory.

The Bells batted around in the eighth after the first three batters reached against Kamloops pitcher Manato Tateno. Mallonee walked with the bases loaded and the flood gates opened from there.

Jacob Mejia had an RBI single, scoring Bret Housel. Kirkpatrick, who had another three-hit day, drove in two RBI. Smith grabbed an RBI on a single and Noah Cassie scored the final run of the inning on a fielder’s choice groundout.

Ryan Heppner would pitch the last two scoreless innings in his second appearance as a Bellingham Bell.

Overall the Bells were highlighted by Kirkpatrick’s 3 for 5 performance with four RBI and a stolen base. Smith went 2 for 5 with three RBI. Bryce Johnson and Jacob Mejia both went 2 for 5 and Johnson stole his team leading fourth bag of the season.

The win helped the Bells bounce back after losses on Tuesday and Wednesday. The team now comes home to play the Ridgefield Raptors in a three-game series beginning tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham, Wash.

Get your tickets for the weekend series at bellstickets.com. Friday’s game is Ride Your Bike to the Ballpark Day. Saturday features a clear bag giveaway and post-game fireworks presented by Bellingham Advanced Medical Imaging. 

Today’s game recap is presented by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.