Nanaimo hands Bellingham first loss of 2025
The Bellingham Bells fell 6-2 in a late-inning comeback win against the Nanaimo Bars — who were sporting their alternate mascot and jersey — Sunday, June 1 at Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo. The Bells finished the road trip North 2-1 to begin the 2025 season and will return home to play the Kamloops NorthPaws at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, June 3 at Joe Martin Field.
Dylan Hunstman got the start and began a pitcher’s duel. After Huntsman’s two scoreless innings, Josh Flaugher made his return to Bellingham with a scoreless two innings.
The Bells gained a 1-0 lead after Chris Clement hit an RBI single that scored Cole Murawski, who led off the inning with a double. Miles Chandler entered in the bottom of the fifth and kept Nanaimo scoreless.
Johnny Montgomery debuted his submarine arm slot in the sixth inning and only allowed a walk while picking up one strikeout.
In top of the seventh, the Bells scored another run on a passed ball that let Camden Gillespie touch home after reaching on a leadoff walk to begin the inning.
Julian Herrera made his debut in the bottom of the seventh and walked the first three batters he faced. Chase Halvorson entered with the bases loaded and walked in the first run for Nanaimo. Talan Zenk singled to bring in the tying run and Halvorson walked in another run with the bases loaded. Nanaimo scored three more runs and led 6-2.
Chihiro Sato pitched a scoreless ninth, but the Bells could not overcome the six-run seventh inning from Nanaimo and lost their first game of the 2025 season.
Nate Kirkpatrick had a 3-for-4 day at the plate and Clement was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Murawski was 1-for-4 but hit his first double of the season and scored a run.
Herrera was tagged with the loss after not recording an out in the seventh and leaving the three winning runs on base for Halvorson.
The Bells will take Monday off and play their home opener on Tuesday against Kamloops. Tickets are still on sale for the opening series at Joe Martin Field. Mason Chien is Kamloops’ probable starter, the Bells have not announced a probable starting pitcher.
This game recap is presented by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.
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