The Black Bears are heading into their second series of this six-game homestand, playing the Bend Elks for the second time in the past week. The Elks took two of three against Cowlitz in a close series last weekend at Vince Genna Stadium.
The Bears are currently playing the Ridgefield Raptors, having lost the first two games and dropping the Columbia River Cup series for the fourth straight season.
Game one was all Ridgefield. It was a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning, with both Zach Todd and Brady Trombello dealing to start the game. The sixth inning was the catalyst for Ridgefield to take advantage of multiple walks, errors on the defensive side and a couple of RBI singles to score six runs and take a 7-0 lead. The Raptors kept cruising from that point, the bullpen taking care of business and the offense putting up two in the eighth inning and three in the ninth, taking game one 12-0. It was Ridgefield’s largest margin of victory in 2025 and the first shutout by their pitching staff this season.
Game two was closer, the Black Bears attempting a comeback late. Ridgefield struck first early with two runs in the first inning. Max Fraser, who had thrown six scoreless against Cowlitz last week, was dealing again with only 1 ER in six more solid frames. The Raptors’ offense scored two more in the fifth and three in the seventh, taking a 7-1 lead. Cowlitz would respond quickly with four runs in the bottom half after a two-run double from Andy Cisneros, a balk and a HBP with the bases loaded. An error by Cisneros would allow an eighth run to score in the top of the ninth, and Jarett Sabol would drive in two with the Black Bears down to their final strike. Connor Cox was able to get the last out and the Raptors took game two.
Cisneros is hitting .361, already with 3 three-hit games in his first ten games this season. He has four doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored. Matt Priest, while not playing in the first two games this series, is still leading the team in runs (19) and stolen bases (6), while being tied with Gavin Poffenroth in hits (34). Poffenroth leads the team in doubles (10), walks (17) and HBP (8) as well. Chris Moreno has a 3.48 ERA in 20.2 IP while leading all pitchers in strikeouts with 21.
Don’t miss out on any of our exclusive promotions! Join the Black Bears on Friday, July 25 for another Fibre Friday. All fans who present a Fibre FCU card at the ticket gate will get $5 off their admission into the ballpark! It’s also our second Cub Club member day! All Cub Club members have FREE tickets to the game! Be sure to show your Cub Club member ID for special perks during the game. Saturday, July 26 is our Stein Glass Giveaway. Thanks to our friends at the Odom Corporation, we’ll be giving away stein glasses to the first 100 fans 21 and older at the gates! Sunday, July 27 is another Kids in Free Sunday. All kids 12 and under will get in for FREE when accompanied by a paid adult.
Bend is out east in Walla Walla playing the Sweets before they head to David Story Field.
The Elks have lost both games against the Sweets by one run each. They were up 5-1 in the sixth inning before a five-run inning from Walla Walla led to a comeback 8-7 victory. Game two was a comeback attempt from Bend after going down 6-3, scoring one in the eighth and one in the ninth was not enough as they dropped game two 6-5.
WCL All-Star selection Jace Miller is leading the offense in runs (31), hits (44), RBI (31) and walks (19). Jack Laffitte is off to a great start as well in his first 11 games. He is hitting .429, going 12-28 with 1 HR and 9 RBI while walking three times and stealing four bases. Erik Podziunas and John-Paul Sauer are the two all-stars on the pitching side. With Sauer pitching in his last game of the season on Sunday against Cowlitz, Podziunas remains here with a 3.98 ERA in 43 IP, leading the team in strikeouts with 33. Simon Lemke has been one of their best bullpen arms, having a 2 ERA in 27 IP with 29 strikeouts. Carson Boyer is also off to a good start, having a 3-0 record and an ERA of 2.11 in 21.1 IP.
After this series, the Black Bears head to Salem to play the Marion Berries for the second time this season. The Berries swept Cowlitz at David Story Field, winning each game by two runs. The Elks will play one game at Walker Stadium against the Pickles on Monday, followed by a doubleheader on Tuesday and two more games in the following days, technically making it a five-game series after two games in their series last month were postponed due to rain.
The Elks-Black Bears series begins on Friday at 6:35 p.m. at David Story Field. Game two is also at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday and game three will begin at 1:05 p.m. 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 2025 promotional schedule, go to our website, cowlitzblackbears.com.