Early Inning Struggles Put Bells Ahead of Hawks In Game One

2023-06-27

Bells crept ahead early, then blew out the Hawks late to secure a 10-3 game

By Cody F. Schmidt

The Edmonton Riverhawks knew runs would be tough to come by against the Bellingham Bells, but it proved true today, as the Hawks were only able to nab a trio of runs to the Bells’ ten. The Hawks had a few opportunities foiled by double plays that kneecapped leadoff runners, but they were able to plate a pair in the back half of the game.

In the 5th #2 Jack Wheatley earned a one-out walk before he was driven to third by #9 Skyler Chang and #15 Daniel Calabrese before #14 Tommy Takayoshi plated him with a RBI base hit. The Hawks’ second run came in the 7th, as #30 Noah Boughton singled, then was scored by hits from Wheatley, Chang, and Calabrese.

The Hawks had some late game heroics, as with two outs in the 9th, Chang walked, then made it to third from a steal and a missed pickoff. Calabrese scored Chang with a infield dribbler single before the game wrapped up.

While things kicked off shakily for starter #18 Riley Barrett, he settled into a solid rhythm by the 3rd inning. Unfortunately the Bells took advantage of those first two innings, scoring five runs, with three of them earned. An outfield error elongated what was already a troublesome inning for Barrett, and Bellingham’s lineup was able to take advantage of the misplay. Barrett’s following four innings would be much calmer, he limited the Bells to just one hit between the 3rd and 6th.

In relief, #16 Tylor Jans covered the 7th, allowing one run and three hits, while #45 KJ Ward came in for the rest of the game. Ward had an electric 8th striking out his first two batters, but the Bells struck back in the 9th, piling on Ward with an assault of four doubles and a walked batter to score four more runs. After loading the bases with walks, Ward was relieved in favour of #27 Brendan Loeppky, who got the final out of the 9th.

The Hawks see the Bells again tomorrow night, with another 7:05 start. Come on down for Winning Wednesday and grab your spot at tickets.gohawks.ca. Keep in touch with the Hawks online on our socials at Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.