The Bellingham Bells beat the Bend Elks 8-5 and earned their fourth straight series win Wednesday, June 11 at Joe Martin Field. Devyn Hernandez earned his third win of the season win in five scoreless innings where he struck out six.

The Bells and Elks finish their three-game series tomorrow, June 12 at 6:35 p.m.

Run support came early again for the Bells. They attacked Bend’s starter and former Bell Elijah Knowlton for four runs in the first inning. After the bases were loaded, Nate Kirkpatrick knocked in the first run of the game.

After a Cayden Wotitpka sacrifice fly, Noah Cassie blooped a hit to score another run. Bobby Pierce Jr. picked up an RBI single to finish the first inning scoring.

The offense continued to pile up as the Bells capitalized on an error to score a run and lead to another soft RBI hit from Cassie. After Betanco was plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded, Pierce Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to give the Bells a commanding 8-0 lead.

Hernandez retired the first 10 Elks he faced but saw his perfect outing end after a double in the fourth on a ball that Wotipka lost in the right field air.

Relieving Hernandez in the sixth was Jackson Dial, whose struggles continued. Dial allowed five runs to score in an inning he couldn’t escape as he walked two and gave up three hits. Julian Herrera entered to try and finish the sixth, but Betanco got the third out on a throw out at second catching a runner trying to steal.

Herrera pitched a scoreless seventh and exited his relief appearance with two hits and a walk allowed with one strikeout in his first home appearance.

Chase Halvorson made his home debut and picked up a six-out save by only allowing a walk in the eighth and ninth innings.

Leading the Bells at the plate was Cassie, who was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Brock Sell was 2-f0r-4 and scored a run. Andrew Lamb continue to swing the bat well (1-for-4) and made a great catch in left field during the fifth inning. Nate Kirkpatrick extended his hitting streak to five games in a 1-for-4 night at the plate with two runs and an RBI.

Tomorrow the Bells will look to earn their first sweep of the season. Bellingham has opened the season with four straight series wins and are 8-3, which is the best record in the North Division.

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