Bells Break the Hawks’ Hearts With Another Walk Off

2024-06-02

Despite the Hawks battling for the late lead, they fell 13-14 in the final frame

By Cody F. Schmidt

It was a wet and wild match in Bellingham this afternoon, as the Edmonton Riverhawks nearly were able to come back against the Bells on a rainy Sunday. Despite a huge 8th with an inside-the-parker the Riverhawks couldn’t hold on to their lead in the final frame and dropped the series to Bellingham. A five-hit bottom of the 9th spoiled the game for the Riverhawks, as the Bells were able to rally for four runs and upset one-out-away Hawks for the second time in the series.

Edmonton struck first, but were also hit by struggles due to the rainy conditions on the field. Initially scoring two runs in the 1st, the Hawks came back into the 4th inning after a 30 minute rain delay with a 2-7 deficit. Many of the Bells early runs were due to a slippery ball that both sides had issues controlling into the zone.

8th inning heroics started with a leadoff hit by #47 William Vasseur that paid off as a run by #10 Demitri Shakotko singling to send Vasseur home and move #4 Ryan Kucy up to second. Then after battling for an extended at bat #3 Michael Soper belted a hit over a diving Bells centre fielder, letting the ball roll all the way to the outfield wall, and giving Soper a three-run inside-the-park homer to temporarily secure the lead over the Bells.

The downpour in Bellingham didn’t initially snuff out the Hawks’ hot bats, as #35 Trent Lenihan struck early for a run in the 1st inning. After #36 Jakob Poturnak and #5 Bryce McFeely were both walked by an erratic Bells started, Lenihan battled back from an 0-2 count to smack an RBI double into left and bring Poturnak home. The rally didn’t stop there as Vasseur followed with a single to right, scoring McFeely and making it a 2-0 1st inning lead for Edmonton.

Starter #29 Daniel Orfaly was kept from being effective by the rain, having a wild appearance with six walks and five wild pitches over just 0.2 innings. Credited with all three runs by the Bells in the inning due to the walks, Orfaly didn’t give up a single hit in his appearance. Taking over to try and finish off the nearly hour-long 1st inning, #20 Max Benton was able to cap the frame by striking out his second batter. Benton returned for the 2nd and held the Bells to a shutdown frame, only allowing a base on balls. Benton’s 3rd didn’t go as smoothly, with three runs coming off a walk, two singles, a double, and an error.

In the top of the 4th the Umpires called a 30 minute rain delay with one out, play resumed with the Riverhawks at bat, and the bags were quickly loaded by a previous HBP to #12 Rex Watson, then walks to both Shakotko and Soper. It was the Bells’ turn to struggle with command now, as two runs came across for the Hawks via a bases-loaded walk and a passed ball. A rundown between third and home would end the frame, but not before Soper could make it home for the 4th’s third run.

The Hawks brought out the lefty #37 Nate Charlton to toss after the rain delay. Aside from an error-allowed run Nate pitched a quick inning with two hits, and was aided by a fantastic pickoff by catcher #26 Russell Young. Charlton returned for the 5th and was again effective outside of another run on an error.

In the 6th the Riverhawks called on #2 Austin Egan who pitched a clean frame with no hits or walks. Egan’s 7th wasn’t as fruitful as he gave up a pair of hits that led to a tie breaking Bells run before he could induce a pair of fly outs. Continuing into the 8th, Egan earned his first strikeout amidst a pair of hits, then came a tumultuous 9th where Austin gave up a run and left the bases loaded with only one out.

The 7th kept up the back and forth nature of this game, as the Riverhawks received a trio of walks that paid off magnificently. Poturnak cracked a double to centre to score a pair of runs, then a #5 Bryce McFeely single tied the game at nine runs apiece.

Thankfully the forecasts look bright for Edmonton this week, as the Riverhawks’ home opener is Thursday night! It will be a thrilling home opener including a spectacular Indigenous Peoples performances and a dazzling display by Uncle John’s Fireworks after the game. That’s just the start of a packed promo schedule, which includes tons of fun theme nights and wacky promotions. Swifties, wrestlers, fire breathing dragons, dogs and more - you never know what you might see! Check out the full promotion schedule here. Get your tickets now for the home opener and every other game this season at tickets.gohawks.ca