Box Score

BELLINGHAM — The Bellingham Bells took the first game of a three-game series to clinch a playoff berth after a 7-2 victory over the Victoria HarbourCats on Friday, July 31 at Joe Martin Field. Bellingham’s starter Robby Zimmerman pitched the first four innings perfectly and the Bells had 11 hits to claim their sixth straight win.

The Bells got on the scoreboard after a Noah Cassie double and Nate Johnson single with two outs in the first inning. Jaden Jackson crushed a solo home run in the third inning to double the lead. 

Rominic Quiban had an RBI hit in the fourth to make it 3-0. Rashad Hayes reached base on an infield hit and an error on the throw allowed another run to score in the fourth. Cassie capped a three-run fourth inning with an RBI hit.

Zimmerman’s perfect start ended with one out in the fifth. The HarbourCats went on to have three hits in the fifth for one run, but Zimmerman exited his five innings with a 5-1 lead and earned his fourth win of the summer after striking out three batters and not issuing a walk.

Dillon Moss and Jackson had RBIs in the fifth inning with Moss delivering a single and Jackson working a bases-loaded walk. It was 7-2 heading into the sixth when Nic Peterson took over on the mound. 

Peterson threw three innings in relief and allowed two hits while striking out three batters and not allowing any walks. Cal Young attempted to finish the game in the ninth, but after allowing a double and two walks he was lifted after only recording one out. Thrasher Steed picked up the final two outs in the ninth to finish the win.

Cassie, Johnson, Quiban and Moss all had two-hit nights. Jackson had two RBI, which was the team high and Bo Shinkle scored twice.

The Bells earned a playoff berth with the win and now are in a good spot to potentially take a top-two seed in the postseason. Tomorrow’s game is a 6:35 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, Aug. 1 as Bellingham looks to extend its winning streak and take the series over Victoria.