The Bellingham Bells scored four runs in the ninth inning to break a 7-7 tie against the Port Angeles Lefties to win the game, and the series, 11-7 Sunday afternoon in Port Angeles. Jack Van Remortel capped off a stellar stretch by hitting his third home run of the series, a 3-run bomb in the ninth, to secure the victory. The Bells had a strong outing from the plate, though they benefitted from five errors by the Lefties.

The Bells came out hot, scoring five runs in the first two innings to take a quick 5-0 lead. Cole Hage and Kyle Parkman each hit doubles in the first, with Parkman’s driving in a run. The team loaded the bases in each inning and walked in three runs, two of which coming on HBP’s. They extended the lead to 7-0 in the fifth, when Cole Hage drove in Cody Russell on an RBI single, then scored himself on another RBI single by Van Remortel.

Despite the high-scoring game, Brandt Pancer had an exceptional starting debut on the mound for the Bells, holding the Lefties scoreless with just one hit and 5 strikeouts through four innings pitched.

The Lefties rallied back in the sixth, as they loaded the bases for infielder Mason Persons, who hit a 2-run single. A ground ball by Isaiah Munoz added another run to trim the Bells’ lead to 7-3. Later, the bases were loaded again for center fielder Jadon Arakaki, who came up clutch with another 2-run single, then advanced to second on a passed ball as one more run scored to put the Lefties within one. The next inning, Persons came through again with an RBI double, tying the game up at 7-7.

Justin Thorsteinson hit a sac fly that scored Jace Phelan to break the tie in the ninth, then Van Remortel opened the game up with a 3-run shot to give the Bells an 11-7 win. It was Van Remortel’s fifth home run of the season, and third home run in the past 24 hours, upping his RBI count to nine in the series.

Christopher Foster (1-0) took the win for his two scoreless innings in the seventh and eigth, and Willis Cresswell threw two outs in the ninth to earn the save in a rare appearance on the mound. With the loss, the Lefties fall to the bottom of the North Division at 12-20. The Bells improve to 21-8, extending their lead over the second place NorthPaws to five games. They will hit the road again to face the 17-11 Ridgefield Raptors before returning home on Friday, July 15.