The Bellingham Bells lost 6-2 to the Kamloops NorthPaws Thursday, June 5 at Joe Martin Field. A six-run first inning gave Kamloops the early lead that the Bells could not recover. The Bells (4-2) will play Edmonton on the road tomorrow to begin a three-game series in Canada.

Jackson Dial couldn’t escape the first inning. He walked three batters and hit three to allow three runs to score. Then an RBI-single by the NorthPaws ninth hitter Dylan Dekker scored two more and forced the Bells to make a pitching change.

Josh Flaugher entered with runners on the corners and the NorthPaws attempted to steal second. Noah Betanco threw to Bobby Pierce Jr. at second base and caught the baserunner in a rundown. This allowed the runner from third to steal home and take the 6-0 lead.

The Bells scored one run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Nico Azpilcueta that scored Gavin Long, who had stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to get in scoring position.

Bellingham tried to build their comeback with a run in the third after Pierce Jr. led off the bottom of the inning with a triple on a hit to the right field corner. He scored on a sacrifice fly to center field from Brock Sell.

Flaugher finished 3 1/3 hitless innings with one strikeout and only a walk allowed. The 2024 All-Star’s first appearance at Joe Martin Field picked up right where he left off in 2024.

Mile Chandler entered and pitched the next three innings scoreless while striking out three and allowing only a hit and a walk.

The Bells did have a chance to spark a comeback after loading the bases in the fifth, but two straight outs left three runners on base.

Loreto Siniscalchi pitched the eighth and ninth innings scoreless and struck out two while not allowing a hit and walking three.

The Bells committed five errors on defense, although none costed them a run in the 6-2 loss.

Azpilcueta was 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Pierce Jr. was 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Sell was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base in the leadoff spot. The Bells left nine runners on base in the loss.

Overall the Bells had five hits to the NorthPaws’ two, but couldn’t break through to rally a comeback tonight. The team will look to bounce back against the undefeated Riverhawks tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. local time. The next home game for Bellingham is June 10 at 6:35 p.m. against the Bend Elks.

This game recap is presented by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.