The Bellingham Bells were held scoreless for the first time this season Wednesday night against the Bend Elks, losing 3-0 in Bend. Elks starting pitcher AJ Lattery (1-1) threw five innings to open the game, allowing four hits and no walks with eight strikeouts. The closing trio of relievers for the Elks held the Bells to just two hits for the rest of the game.

The Bells, who experimented with 14 different batters throughout the evening, managed six hits, two of which coming from Gavin Schulz, including a double. Starter Cameron Dayton (0-1) made it 3.2 innings into the game, and was pulled in the fourth after surrendering his first run of the game when he walked in a run with the bases loaded.

Christopher Foster tossed two innings of relief following Dayton. The Elks scored two runs on him in the sixth, one off a wild pitch and the other coming from an RBI single by right fielder Brady Kasper, putting them up 3-0. Ryan Lynch threw the last two innings for the Bells, giving up no hits.

With the victory, the Elks avoid getting swept by the Bells, as they improve to 15-9 on the season, tied for second place in the South Division. The Bells fall to 17-6, though they maintain a healthy four game lead over the second place Kamloops NorthPaws.

Next up for the Bells, they return home to host the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase team in a non-league matchup Friday night at Joe Martin Field.