The Black Bears finish their 5-game homestand a three game set with the Belle. A rare Monday-Wednesday series, all starting at 6:35. The Black Bears just finished playing the Northwest Star Nighthawks in two non-league games.
In game 1 against the Nighthawks, it was a pitcher’s duel with hits coming at a premium. The Nighthawks pitcher, Alex Hendricksen (Mt. Hood CC) threw 6 innings and gave up just two hits and one run that wasn’t earned. On the flip side, Austin Mcquilliams tossed 3 innings and gave up one hit and one unearned run. Michael Buchanan (Montana State University Billings) made his Black Bears debut and recorded a 1, 2, 3 top of the 4th. Nick Silva threw two scoreless. In the 7th, another Black Bear made his first appearance out of the pen, Gavin Guard (Shasta College). Guard retired the side in order with one K. Jase Schueller pitched the 8th and 9th and recorded three punch outs and just one walk. In the bottom of the 9th inning tied 1-1, Seth Stroh (Wichita state) had a lead-off single. He was at second base and was running on the pitch when the Nighthawks pitcher threw a wild pitch that went into the dugout, so Stroh was awarded home plate to score the winning run. Stroh went 2-4 in his Black Bear debut. Cowlitz defeated the Nighthawks 2-1.
Game 2, the Nighthawks scored first in the top of the 2nd inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Black Bears answered with a two-out RBI double from Max Ortega. Trailing 2-1 heading into the 4th inning, Griffen Sotomayor stepped up to the plate and delivered a base knock to score a run to tie up the game at 2. Ortega followed that up with his second RBI of the game with a single. Canton had an RBI groundout in the 7th and Chris Brown with a sacrifice fly in the 8th to give the Black Bears a 5-2 win. The Black Bears swept the Nighthawks in the two game, non-league series.
The interleague matchup with Bellingham should be a fantastic series. The last time these two clubs played was in Bellingham for the Bears first road trip of 2023, June 6th – June 8th. The Black Bears took the series opener 4-3. AJ Singer went 2-4 in that game, scoring twice. Game 2 went to the Bells as they evened the series with a 3-2 win. The rubber game was the only game that wasn’t decided by 1 run. Bellingham took the series with a game 3 win, 5-0. Both teams boast elite pitching staffs, so expect some quick and exciting games this week.
Come enjoy some baseball during the week before the Black Bears head North for Edmonton. Tuesday is $3 Tuesday which means general admission tickets, domestic canned beer, nachos and hot dogs are just $3. For more information about upcoming games and stats, follow us on social media: Twitter (@CowlitzBBears), Facebook and Instagram (@cowlitzblackbears). To watch, listen live, or view the 2023 promotional schedule go to our website cowlitzblackbears.com.