The Bellingham Bells lost to the Wenatchee Applesox 1-0 Wednesday, Aug. 14 in a win-or-go-home game for the North Division Championship game.
Beforehand, the Bells won their West Coast League Divisional Series against the Edmonton Riverhawks in three games and competed in their third straight North Division Championship game, the first time as the road team.
The Bells finished the season with a 37-20 record, including a 2-2 postseason record.
Split results at the plate
In the 1-0 loss to the Applesox, the Bells tallied four hits and two walks. The Bells had an opportunity in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded, but Colton Bower grounded out to keep them scoreless.
The Bells lost the first game of the divisional series at Edmonton 3-1 on Saturday, Aug. 10, tallying eight hits and one walk. Jason Shedlock knocked in the only run in the top of the third inning with a single, scoring Logan DeGroot. The Bells stranded three runners on base the rest of the way.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, the Bells returned to Joe Martin Stadium and won 2-0, scoring both runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Gabe Henderson got on base with a bunt, then Anthony Kodama drove him in when he bunted and reached first base by an error. Conner Smith then scored Henderson with a sacrifice bunt for the second and final run of the game.
The Bells clinched the series win Monday, Aug. 12 at Joe Martin Stadium with a 5-1 victory. Smith had a two-run double in the bottom of the second inning to get the Bells on the board. Bryce Johnson earned an RBI single in the fourth and Trent Mallonee and Shedlock each drove in runs with a pair of hits.
New faces on the mound shine
Despite losing the first game of the divisional series, Devyn Hernandez pitched four solid innings, allowing one run on six hits. In the second game, Nic Peterson made his debut as a starter after being a reliever throughout the regular season.
Peterson did not allow a baserunner until the third inning, finishing the game with two hits and zero earned runs across six innings.
Josh Flaugher pitched five innings in the third game, allowing two hits, one run and three walks. Three relievers allowed four hits and zero runs to secure the series victory.
Local player to watch
Ryan Heppner of Point Roberts pitched the final inning in the third game of the series, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one to earn the save and cap the series victory.
Heppner has pitched 17.1 innings this season and holds a 2-2 record. He has a 2.87 ERA with 17 strikeouts and four saves. He has only allowed 15 hits and nine walks.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
