The Bellingham Bells fell, 7-1, to the Bend Elks Friday night at Vince Genna Stadium in game one of the teams’ three-game weekend series.
Bend used two breakout innings to defeat the Bells in a game that was dominated by Elks starter Kyle Wade.
His lone blemish came in the second inning when he allowed a leadoff solo homerun to Bend native Troy Viola. The Bells’ 1-0 lead would last until the fourth inning, when Bend took over.
They plated four runs off Bells starter Nick Proctor before he was relieved by Will Dennis, who escaped the jam.
Ahead 4-1, the Elks scored two runs off Dennis in the fifth before grabbing another run off reliever Will Armbruester before the inning was over.
That would be all Bend needed, as Wade tossed seven one-run innings. He allowed five hits and struck out three without issuing a walk.
He handed the ball to Ryan Kaser in the eighth, and then to G.T. Blackman in the ninth to secure the 7-1 victory.
The teams will play game two Saturday at 6:35, again at Vince Genna Stadium.
