The Bellingham Bells are thrilled to announce the signing of another returner from the 2017 season as shortstop Ernie Yake will join the Bells roster for the 2018 season.
Yake has become a household name among Bells’ fans, and the local product from Squalicum High School will once again be able to showcase his talents in his hometown during summer 2018.
“There is always a tremendous amount of pride in having a local player on the roster,” Bells’ general manager Stephanie Morrell said. “It means a lot to the fans and the community. It’s really terrific to be able to watch a player like Ernie, who had a tremendous amount of prep success in Whatcom County, continue that here at Joe Martin Field with the Bells.”
Yake, a five-foot-eleven infielder, will help to bolster the Bells’ lineup and will do so by coming off a very solid 2017 in which he hit .297 with 12 extra base hits and 21 runs batted in.
Yake was fifth on the team in batting average and led the team with 195 at bats. He was selected to the 2017 West Coast League All-Star Team, and was also named to the All-West Coast League Second Team at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
“Ernie is a well-rounded player who adds a lot of depth to the lineup,” Morrell said. “He’s effective at the plate and can be a spark offensively, but at the same time is a phenomenal force on the defensive side. There isn’t much that gets past Ernie in the infield. He is an exciting player and I know fans will love having the opportunity to watch him again this summer.”
The middle infielder is currently in the middle of his sophomore year at Gonzaga, but Yake has not yet played a game for the Zags after redshirting in his freshman year. Prior to Gonzaga, Yake was one of Whatcom County’s best high school players.
Yake hit .525 with 24 runs batted in and 16 stolen bases during his senior year, and was named the MVP of the Northwest Conference. He also received first team All-State honors.
Yake joins Tanner West and Trevor DeLaite as the three returners from the 2017 Bellingham Bells team. The team will begin the 2018 season in Kelowna, B.C. on June 1, 2018.
Release courtesy of the Bellingham Bells
