The Bells defeated the Ridgefield Raptors on Sunday by a final score of 8-6. The Raptors led until the 8th inning, where the Bells scored four runs to take the lead for good.

It was a rocky start for starter Will Armbruester, who entered the game with a 2.05 ERA. He walked the first three batters he faced in the first, and an RBI single put Ridgefield on top before they even recorded an out. Armbruester got out of the first with a double play and a flyout, only allowing one run. The Raptors extended the lead in the second, with two runners singling and scoring on an RBI double from Caden Connor.

In the 4th, Armbruester allowed a leadoff walk. The next two batters both hit ground balls back to him on the mound, but he committed back-to-back throwing errors, allowing a run to score. He was relieved with two on and no outs in the 4th. He posted a final line of 3.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 BB, 1 K.

Bellingham’s relief pitchers were excellent, only allowing two hits over the final six innings. Kai Francis (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) entered in the 4th, and allowed two of Armbruester’s runs to score on a walk, single and sac fly. Hunter Alberini (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K) pitched two perfect innings and earned the win, and Noah Ferguson (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) tossed a perfect 9th for the save.

The Bells got on board in the 3rd inning, with the Raptors leading 3-0. They loaded the bases with one out, and Bennett Lee scored Malakhi Knight on a sacrifice fly. Cody Schrier also came in to score on an error to cut the lead to 3-2.

Ridgefield led 6-2 entering the 6th, but Bellingham scored in each of the final innings. In the 6th, Lee led off with a double. Luis Aviles and AJ Davis each walked to load the bases, and Ty Saunders scored Lee on a sac fly. Emilio Corona and Lee each reached in the 7th, and Aviles scored Corona on an RBI single to make the score 6-4.

The Bells scored four runs on five hits in the 8th. Davis led off with a single, and Knight scored him on an RBI double. Schrier then singled, and Corona scored Knight on an RBI double of his own. With two runners on, Lee reached on an error in the infield and both runs scored to give Bellingham their 8-6 lead. Bennett Lee finished the game with three hits and two RBI, and was named Player of the Game for his effort.

Bellingham drew six walks, struck out five times and left eight runners on base. The Raptors drew seven walks, struck out five times, and left eight runners of their own on base.

The Bells will have a day off tomorrow before facing the Cascade Collegiate League showcase team on Tuesday, July 27th in a two-game series. Tickets can be found at www.bellstickets.com.