Fans were just getting acclimated to their new free seat cushions on Boundary Bay Giveaway Night, when the Bellingham Bells jumped on the scoreboard.
The first inning set the tone as the Bells jumped all over Wenatchee in a 12-1 victory in the opening game of Bellingham’s three game home stand.
In what appeared might be a quick bottom of the first inning after getting two quick outs on four pitches, Zach Needham laced a ball in the hole between third base and the shortstop to start a two-out rally. Matt James then ripped a 1-1 pitch to the opposite field, clearing the right field wall and giving Bellingham an early 2-0 lead.
Wenatchee answered in the top of the third inning. After putting together a one-out rally and a tough ball hit to shortstop Dusty Stroup, the AppleSox were able to plate their first run of the ballgame.
Bellingham starting pitcher Nick Hull kept his composure as the sophomore out of Grand Canyon University forced a 4-6-3 double play to put an end to the inning.
The Bells quickly added to their lead in the bottom half of the third. Bellingham took advantage of a pair of walks and with two outs, Dusty Stroup sent a blooper to find the shallow center field grass for a pair of RBI, giving Hull some breathing room 4-1.
Hull (1-1) would finish his day with five innings of work, allowing just one unearned run on three hits, three walks, and striking out three batters in his first win of the year.
Bellingham wasn’t done scoring as a three-run bottom of the sixth inning blew the game wide open. Grant Holman, Jack Machtolf, and Guthrie Morrison started the inning off with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs.
Needham took home a pair of RBI with a line drive to right field and James followed suit with his third RBI of the ballgame, trading an out for a run on a ground ball to third. After the fielder’s choice, Bellingham’s lead grew to 7-1.
The bottom of the eighth was even more prosperous for the home squad. After a groundout to third, seven consecutive hitters reached base safely before Grant Holman flew out on an RBI sac-fly for just the second out of the inning.
The Bells batted around the lineup, plating six runs on just three hits. The Bells forced four walks, two with the bases loaded, and put the game even farther out of reach 13-1.
As is routine at Joe Martin Field, the bullpen was superb. Austin Weiermiller and Theron Kay followed Nick Hull’s dominant performance with four innings of two hit ball and didn’t allow a single walk.
The bats have come alive for Bellingham during its current three game win-streak. In the middle of an away-home series in six consecutive days, the Bells have outscored Wenatchee 29-7, during the stretch, including Friday night’s highest scoring WCL home game this season.
Bellingham will look to continue their hitting prowess and take home the home series and the season series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
