Hawks Cap Off First Half As They Welcome Bells
2026-06-30
Manager Lanferman feels confident with the lineup's current strength
By Larry Read
EDMONTON, AB—
If Edmonton Riverhawks fans wanted to know how their team measures up against the top teams in the West Coast League in 2026, they will get a good indication over the next six games.
The Riverhawks (12-12) will take on the co-leaders in the WCL North Division beginning Tuesday (June 30) at RE/MAX Field when they take on the defending league champion Bellingham Bells (19-8). Opening pitch is 7:05 PM MDT.
The Hawks and the Bells have had a heated rivalry over the last few years. One only must look back to last August 12th when they met in the North Division Final in Edmonton. Bellingham survived a one hour and 47-minute rain delay beating the Riverhawks 5-2 to capture their fifth straight divisional title.
Lifetime, the Bells have a 17-10 advantage in regular season games between the two. But it is the Riverhawks who are the hotter of the two going into this series. Edmonton has won its last four starts. The Hawks are tied with the Richfield Raptors for the distinction of being the hottest teams in the WCL.
“We are playing quality baseball, “says Riverhawks head coach Jake Lanferman. “We have changed our identity. The hitters have done a really good job of passing the bat. Pitchers gave us some quality starts last week. We are just trying to keep riding it (the four game winning streak).”
“I always like playing them here,” Lanferman says referring to this series. “Bellingham is always a tough place to win baseball games. They will be a challenge-they always are. They do things the ‘right way’. We are going to try and stick to the game plan we have been having lately. It’s a whole team ‘buy in’ to play quality baseball. I am excited to see how we stack up against them. If we want a shot at making the playoffs in the back half (of the WCL season we are going to have to go through teams like them.”
#51 Ethan Andrews is the top Riverhawk offensively. He is second in the WCL in on base percentage (.537), 3rd in slugging percentage (.680), fourth in batting average (.380) and sixth in runs batted in (23).
The hottest Edmonton player at the plate in their two-game sweep of Port Angeles has been #36 Mitchell Middlemiss. The veteran outfielder was 4 for 8, with three runs batted in and three runs scored.
“Its so great to be back,” says the UBC product, “I had so much fun last summer. When I got the opportunity to return I jumped at it. With so many new players, it’s been awesome showing them how we do things around here. “
Middlemiss is hitting .320 this season with 16 hits and six RBI. He has yet to draw a walk this campaign.
“I am not trying to put that much pressure on myself. I trust myself and my abilities. When I am loose and fun and having a good time, that is when I play my best baseball.”
Lanferman says the meat of the Riverhawks lineup is making it tough on opposition pitchers with the way they are hitting the ball. “It is always challenging. You are trying to stay patient until all the ‘pieces of the puzzle come’ (referring to players arriving from various U.S. and Canadian post-secondary programs). Our record early on this year didn’t indicate how competitive we were. Now that everyone is here and everyone is getting to know their role and their identity on the team. When we roll our “A” lineup, we are really tough team to beat. Hitters have been really doing a great job of passing the bat down the lineup.”
Lanferman adds the addition of #39 Chris Parkin at third base has been a been a plus. “We didn’t have him last year. He is a great hitter.”
“One through nine …it’s been rolling.” Veatch ( #2 Drew) is playing good baseball. Mitchell has too. Stagg (#48 Max—returning veteran from Australia) is nice just to have and he will get hot at some point.” Stagg made his home debut against Port Angeles.
Players to watch on the Bells include #27 Frank Willius who is tied for the lead in the WCL in saves (5) as he has appeared in six games. #3 Charlie Decker and #35 Zach Elsos are tied for second in the league in victories (3). Decker has appeared six times, making four starts, has an earned run average of 2.52 with 10 strikeouts. Elsos has an ERA of 2.92 with 15 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched.
#8 Noah Cassie is second in the WCL in home runs (6), eighth in batting average (.357) and ninth in hits (30). #14 Jake Lyall is tied for fourth with 26 runs batted in and is sixth in triples (1).
After this series, the Riverhawks will hop the bus and head to Wenatchee for their third series against the AppleSox which begins Friday, July 3rd. Wenatchee (19-8) enters play this week deadlocked for top spot in the North with Bellingham.
Middlemiss says when he looks at the Edmonton club this year, there are a lot of similarities to the team which went so far in 2025. “We were super close as a team last year once we got into that deep playoff run. You can see there are hints of that sprouting already here. We are a really close group. We are ‘vibing’ really well. Now that we are playing really good baseball now—that is just going to continue into the second half as we try to make that same push.”
Promotions for Bellingham/Riverhawks June 30-July 2,2026 series:
Tuesday, June 30th @ 7 PM: Girls Who Ball Night
It's time to celebrate all women and girls in the world of sports! Any girl under 14 who is accompanied by a paying adult and wearing a jersey from their community team will receive FREE ADMISSION at the box office. Check out website for more information! Toonie Tuesday Promo!
Wednesday, July 1st @ 7 PM: Happy B-day Canada! Come down to the ballpark for our BIGGEST game of the season to celebrate Canada's birthday! Gates open 2 hours early, so wear your best red and white and get ready to play ball, party, and see one of the best views of the City of Edmonton Fireworks show! Presented by: Global Edmonton
Thursday, July 2nd @ 7 PM: Foodie Night! Last year, our foodie night had nacho cheese tubs and burrito bazookas. This year, we're going EVEN BIGGER to celebrate Edmonton's amazing food scene! For all our teacher's out there, show a valid ATA card at the box office to get in free! More info on our website. Thirsty Thursday Promo! Presented by: EPCOR