Riverhawks Unbeaten for 4, Taking First Game Against Bellingham
2025-06-07
The 6-4 win gives the Hawks a strong North Division Lead
Box ScoreBy Larry Read
EDMONTON-
The Edmonton Riverhawks have extended their unbeaten streak to four games to start the 2025 West Coast League season. The Riverhawks scratched out a 6-4 win over the visiting Bellingham Bells, starting a three-game set at RE/MAX Field. Bellingham falls to 4-3 on the young season.
The Bells started off strong with three straight singles and a run scoring in the top of the first. #10 Chris Clement singled and later scored on a single off the bat of #24 Nico Azpilcueta. The runs came off Riverhawks right hander #34 Jesse Kaphing. The Emry-Riddle senior went four innings giving up six hits three runs and striking out two for his first victory in his first WCL start.
But the Riverhawks answered back in a big way in their half of the inning. #16 Kyle Yip got aboard on an error charged to Bellingham third baseman. He was followed by #48 Matt Stagg who chopped the ball up the middle off Bells pitcher #21 Will Anderson’s glove. Stagg beat the throw to first. That brought up # 35 Trent Lenihan. The veteran Edmonton first baseman blasted a moon shot over the wall in left field for a three run round tripper. That made the score 3-1 Riverhawks.
Anderson was tagged with the loss. The lefty gave up five runs on seven hits in three innings of work.
In the 2nd, #5 Anthony Kodama stroked a one out single to right center field. Two batters later, #6 Robert Phelps hit a hard shot down the left field line scoring Kodama to put Edmonton up 4-1.
The Riverhawks added another run in the third. Stagg led off the inning with a bloop single to straightaway center. When #36 Mitchell Middlemiss hit a single to left field, Stagg beat the throw to the plate to give the home team a 5-1 advantage.
The Bells chipped away at the deficit in the fourth inning by scoring a pair of their own. Azpilicueta singled and scored two batters later when #11 Nate Kirkpatricksingled. That brought up #8 Noah Cassie who brought Kirkpatrick home on a single and it was 5-3 Riverhawks.
Bellingham made it a 5-4 contest in the top of the seventh. #3 Alex Fernandes hit a rope to left field which popped out of Riverhawks left fielder Yips glove. He scored on a long fly ball to center off the bat of Azpilcueta. He led Bellingham offensively going 3-3 with two RBI.
The Riverhawks had the chance to add to their lead in the bottom of seven. They loaded the bases off Bells reliever # 36 Julian Herrera. With one out, 32 Jason Green popped up to the second baseman # 1 Bobby Pierce Jr. who then threw to the plate to get Phelps who was trying to come home from third.
They did make it 6-4 in the eighth. Middlemiss began the inning with a deep fly to centerfield. He wound up with a double and later scored when # 13 Grant Yzermans hit a hot shot to Bellingham shortstop #16 Brock Sell whose throwing error put Yzermans first.
This was Baseball Goes Bollywood night at RE/MAX Field. The contest was broadcast in Punjabi for the second straight year on MyRadio 580. The Riverhawks are the only West Coast League team to accomplish that feat.
The series between the Bells and the Riverhawks continues Saturday (June 7). It is a 7:05 PM MDT start time with the Hawks running Sasky Night (Flat out Fun). The team pays homage to all the current and former residents of Saskatchewan and have a number of activities highlighting the benefits of being from that province.
The Riverhawks will unveil their alternate identity jersey as well on Saturday. The “Edmonton Green Onion Cakes” pay homage to one of the city’s most beloved and iconic foods. The jersey was designed by local artist Mike Lundy. Fans can pick up a Green Onion Cake Tee, they'll be available at the Hawk Shop at RE/MAX Field Saturday and Sunday.
The Bells and Riverhawks wrap up the series on Sunday. It’s a 1:05 PM MDT opening pitch for “Paws in the Park” and a bobblehead giveaway presented by Homes Alive Pets. The 2025 Riverhawk bobbleheads are a proud presentation of Booster Juice.
Head over to tickets.gohawks.ca to grab yourself a seat. Follow along with the game at @RiverhawksGames on X and keep up with everything happening with the Hawks on Instagram, Facebook, @EdmRiverhawks, and TikTok. See all the latest news at riverhawksbaseball.com.