The Bellingham Bells defeated the Port Angeles Lefties 5-3 with a three-run home run in the ninth inning by Roman Martin being the difference between the two North Division teams. The Bells improved to 19-13 and secured a series win at Civic Field in Port Angeles, Wash.

In the ninth inning the Bells trailed 3-2 but fought back to complete a miraculous comeback on Saturday, July 6. Nate Kirkpatrick was the first Bell to reach with a one out walk. Gabe Henderson would pinch run for Kirpatrick at first and end up at second base on a wild pitch. Jacob Mejia singled to put runners on the corners for UCLA’s Roman Martin. Martin delivered his first home run of the year. 

The game started with Caleb Cassie on the mound for the Bellingham Bells. Cassie would go a season high six innings in his fourth start this year. Cassie did not walk any batters and only surrendered one run with three strikeouts. 

The Bells first scored in the third inning on a Martin triple that brought Mejia home who had walked right before Martin’s extra-base hit. The Bells doubled their lead after Trent Mallonee led off the fifth inning with a single. Mallonee stole second and third base and would head home after Mejia hit a sacrifice fly into right field.

The Lefties took their 3-2 lead by scoring one run in the sixth against Cassie and two runs against Sax Matson who was the first arm out of the bullpen for the Bells tonight. Nick Lewis came in for the eighth inning to earn a win due to the ninth inning comeback. After the Bells pulled ahead 5-3, Ryan Heppner would close the ninth inning. Despite two runners reaching for the Lefties in the ninth Heppner was able to strike out the final batter to earn his second save of the year.

Despite being out-hit 11-6, the Bellingham Bells used the long ball for back-to-back games to earn victories at Port Angeles. The Bells have now homered in three straight games and have four total home runs in their last three games.

Roman Martin’s go-ahead three-run home run was one of his three hits on a night where he was a double shy of the cycle. Martin totaled four RBIs on his three hits and is batting .262 on the season. Mallonee, Mejia and Tom Poole all had singular hits with Poole having a double and a stolen base. Mejia had an RBI and two runs scored with Mallonee and Henderson both scoring once. Mallonee also stole two bases and is tied for the league lead in stolen bags with 14 total. Colton Bower also stole his third base of the year after being walked.

The Bellingham Bells go for a sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. at Civic Field in Port Angeles, Wash. The Bells will then head home for six straight home games beginning Tuesday against the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase Team. Get tickets for every bells home game at bellstickets.com.

Tonight’s game recap is sponsored by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.