The Bellingham Bells beat the Edmonton Riverhawks in a 5-4 victory thanks to a two RBI single from left fielder Jason Shedlock.

Entering the bottom of the ninth inning the Bells trailed the Riverhawks 4-2. Third baseman and returner Nate Kirkpatrick led off the frame with a single into center field. Returner Anthony Kodama delivered his third hit of the game to put runners on first and second.

Catcher Conner Smith laid down a bunt with two strikes to advance Kirkpatrick to third and Kodama to second. Meridian High School alum, Bryce Johnson, drove a double to left-center field that scored Kirkpatrick and put Kodama at third.

With the score 4-3 and two outs down, Shedlock hit it up the middle and out of the glove of Riverhawk shortstop, William Vasseur, scoring both Kodama and Johnson to walk it off at Joe Martin Field.

“I just went up there looking for a first pitch fastball and I got it,” Shedlock said.

The Bells starting pitcher Ryan Beitel went four innings with seven strikeouts and one earned run against him. Will Anderson was the bridge for 2 2/3 innings before Ryan Heppner threw the final 2 1/3 innings for a win. Heppner allowed only one hit and struck out three with just one walk.

The entire Bells pitching staff today were from the University of British Columbia.

“The UBC guys put on a show today. I was glad to be out there…I knew the innings weren’t gonna drag on and it was good to have those guys on the mound for us,” Shedlock said.

Jacob Mejia hit the first home run of the season at Joe Martin Field with a solo shot in the sixth inning to right field which was the first run scored by the Bells on Opening Day.

Bryce Johnson finished his Bells debut with one hit and two RBI.

Kodama came up big with a three-hit day including a double and two runs scored.

Shedlock was the hero at the end of it all, his two RBI single won the game for the Bells and overall he went 2 for 4 at the plate. The California State San Bernardino left fielder started his Bells career with an unforgettable night at the ballpark.

“It was electric tonight, the crowd was way more than what I thought it was going to be,” Shedlock said.

Tomorrow night the Bellingham Bells host the Edmonton Riverhawks for game two of the 2024 opening series at 6:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field. Get you tickets at bellstickets.com and join us for postgame fireworks presented by Eden Health following the conclusion of the game.

Tonight’s game recap is sponsored by Everstrong Physical Therapy and Performance.