The Bellingham Bells defeated the Highline Bears by a final score of 14-0 on Sunday afternoon. Bellingham swept Highline in the three-game series and outscored them 43-0.
The bats were hot today, and the Bells launched a season-high five home runs with three in the first inning. Nick McLain kicked it off for Bellingham with a leadoff home run in his second straight game. Yugo Hamakawa followed him up on the next pitch, launching a solo shot to center field for his second HR in as many days.
Cole Hinkelman and Luis Aviles each reached base after the home runs, and Cody Schrier scored them both on an RBI triple to make it a 4-0 game in the 1st. Daniel Gernon then came to the plate and launched a rocket of a HR to left field, a 2-run shot for the third homer of the inning. Bellingham then added two more runs in the 2nd inning, with Cole Hinkelman joining the HR parade with a 2-run shot of his own.
It was a strong day on the mound for each of Bellingham’s five pitcher. Starter Jacob Kaepernick (3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched well in his first start as a Bell, and Will Armbruester (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) only allowed one baserunner in relief. Ryan Sanders (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K), Hunter Alberini (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K) and Noah Ferguson (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) combined to finish the shutout.
The home run party continued in the 5th inning, with Luis Aviles launching a no-doubt HR to center field that scored Charlie Saum. For their power in the finale, McLain, Hamakawa, Hinkelman, Gernon and Aviles were all named co-players of the game.
The victory was the final home game of the regular season, but the Bells are in a good spot to earn a playoff berth. If they make the playoffs, Bellingham will host a game on Saturday, August 14. Tickets for that game are not yet available, but will be found at www.bellstickets.com