Box Score

BELLINGHAM — It’s now seven straight wins for the Bellingham Bells after a 7-5 victory over the Victoria HarbourCats on Saturday, August 1 at Joe Martin Field. The Bells held onto the two-run victory despite a late surge by the visitors with Victoria scoring three runs in the eighth inning.

The Bells shot out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Rominic Quiban sent in two runs on a two-out single. It established an early lead for Bellingham’s starter Rohan Kasanagottu, who went on to throw four scoreless innings while only allowing one hit.

Bo Shinkle doubled the Bells lead with a two-RBI hit in the fourth inning. Kasanagottu exited his four innings up 4-0, but earned a no-decision after striking out three and walking three batters.

Charlie Decker pitched in the fifth and sixth innings and allowed five hits for two runs. Victoria scored twice in the top of the sixth to draw the score to 5-2, but Bellingham responded with a two-run bottom of the inning as Nate Johnson doubled to drive in two runs and make it 7-2.

Gavin Hasche had a scoreless seventh, but his 15-inning scoreless streak ended in the eighth inning as the HarbourCats plated three runs against the pitcher on three hits. Victoria hit into three double plays during the game, which helped the Bells escape some of its dangerous innings.

Ben McKinnon entered for the ninth inning and captured his second save of the summer. He sat down the HarbourCats in order in the final frame to help Bellingham take a series win over Victoria.

Shinkle led the Bells on offense going 3-for-4 with two RBI, two runs and a walk. Rashad Hayes had a pair of hits, steals and runs scored. Quiban’s two RBI accompanied two hits. Bryce Johnson was 2-for-4 with a run in his return to the lineup.

The Bells and HarbourCats now duel at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. Bellingham locked up the No. 2 seed in the North Division playoffs after the win and Edmonton’s loss to Kelowna. The Bells home playoff game is set for August 8 with an if necessary game three on August 9 at Joe Martin Field. Tickets are on sale at bellstickets.com.