The Yakima Valley Pippins beat the Bells by a final score of 6-4 to take two games of the three-game series. The Pippins now sit on top of the WCL North with a record of 4-2, and the Bells in last at 2-4.

Unearned Runs Undo Bells
All six runs allowed by the Bells were unearned. Chaz Meyers reached base and plated a run with two outs in the 2nd on an error by 3B Ty Saunders. The next batter, Alex Shanks, promptly scored him on an RBI double. An error by AJ Davis with two outs in the 5th led to three runs being scored. Noah Williamson scored on a fielder’s choice in the 9th.

The Bells have committed at least one error in every game this season, and have committed multiple errors in four. They have committed the third-most errors in the WCL (11), and have allowed the second-most unearned runs (12). The Wenatchee Applesox lead the league in both categories (14 and 13).

Late-Inning Rally
Bellingham entered the bottom of the 8th trailing 5-1, and left trailing 5-4. DH Jack Van Remortel led off with a walk, and was followed by singles from 1B Pierce Leavengood and C Kyle Green. Van Remortel scored on a dropped fly ball off the bat of AJ Davis, and Leavengood scored on a passed ball after SS Riley Parker struck out. CF Josh Trujillo drew a walk to load the bases, and RF Zac Berryman drew a bases-loaded walk to score Green.

Berryman earned Player of the Game honors by going 1-3 with 2 BB, 2 RBI and 1 SB.

Pitcher Report
Starting pitcher Trevin Hope (0-1) was pegged with the loss. He allowed 3 H, 3 BB and 2 R while striking out 5 over 4.0 innings. Will Armbruester struggled in relief, with a final line of 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. Ryan Beitel (2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) and Dylan Joyce (0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K) also made appearances.

Ryan Beitel threw his slider extremely well tonight. The spin rate on his slider (meaured in RPM – rotations per minute) eclipsed 2600, and averaged 2400. For reference, the average MLB-level slider has a spin rate of 2500 RPM.

Up Next
Bellingham will depart for a six-game road trip, beginning tomorrow in Wenatchee. The Bells will play a three-game weekend series against the Applesox, followed by a three-game series against the Port Angeles Lefties. The team will be back in action at Joe Martin on Friday, June 18th to play two three-game series at home against the Portland Pickles and Bend Elks.