The Cowlitz Black Bears return home following a long 6-game road trip against the Yakima Valley Pippins and the Ridgefield Raptors. The Black Bears look to get back on track this week when they host the Bend Elks for three games starting Tuesday, July 9.
The Black Bears enter this series against the Elks on a six-game losing streak and winless in the second half of the West Coast League season. The Black Bears were tied up 5-5 going into the bottom of the eighth inning but fell 8-5 in game one on Friday night. On Saturday night the Black Bears led 4-3 heading into the seventh inning, however, the Raptors erupted for seven runs to take 10-3 and ultimately would take game two 10-4. In the series finale, the game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the third until the Raptors nearly batted around twice, sending sixteen hitters to the plate and scoring ten runs on five hits and two Cowlitz errors. Shea Bowen (Lubbock Christian) was a bright spot for the Black Bears, going three-for-three with two doubles and a three-run home run. The Black Bears fell 16-8 and will turn their attention to the Elks.
The Elks come into this series 3-0 in the second of the WCL season and 19-11 overall. Bend swept the Yakima Valley Pippins at home in a three-game series to open up the second half strong. The Black Bears won the 2023 season series 4-2, including winning two of the three games at David Story Field.
The Elks-Black Bears series will begin on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at David Story Field. The game is delayed due to planned extreme heat. Game 2 on Wednesday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and the series finale will also begin at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday. For more information about upcoming games, stats, or tickets, follow us on social media: X (Twitter) (@CowlitzBBears), Facebook, and Instagram (@cowlitzblackbears). To watch, listen live, or view the 2024 promotional schedule, go to our website cowlitzblackbears.com.