The Black Bears finish their eight-game homestand with two weekend exhibition games against the NW Star Nighthawks. The Bears won both of their first two against the Nighthawks back on June 3 and June 5.
Cowlitz is in the midst of a three-game series against the Walla Walla Sweets, in which they won the first two games and took the series, now having won five straight games for the first time this season.
Game one was a low-scoring affair, as a three-run bottom of the fifth gave the Bears a 4-1 lead, with the eventual final score being 4-2. Matt Champion pitched 4.1 IP with no earned runs, as Cameron Fausset, Chris Moreno and Hayden Thompson only gave up one run in the bullpen.
Game two was even closer, as Dylan Henson pitched 5.2 hitless innings in his best start of the season. Cowlitz scored three in the bottom of the sixth, but Walla Walla responded in the seventh with five runs. Down two in the ninth, Cowlitz took advantage of four walks and a Braeden Lundberg walk-off single to take the series.
Gavin Poffenroth was recently announced as a WCL All-Star after hitting .330 with 29 hits, 8 doubles, 9 RBI and 15 walks. Ryan Falke is the probable starter for game three tonight. He has a 1.31 ERA in 20.2 IP with a 3-0 record and 12 strikeouts. Henson, after striking out five in game two, now leads the team with 17 on the year.
Don’t miss out on any of our exclusive promotions! Join the Black Bears on July 11 for another Fibre Family 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 first Cub Club member day, where 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. July 12 is the First Responders Jersey Auction. Each jersey will feature a patch from one of the local law enforcement, fire, or EMT agencies. The winning bidder gets to go on the field to collect their jersey after the game. 100% of the proceeds from the night will benefit Cowlitz County Habitat for Humanity.
The NW Star Nighthawks are currently 0-12 on the season, having played exhibition games against Cowlitz, Corvallis, Yakima Valley, Springfield and Walla Walla.
Their most recent game was a 15-1 loss at the hands of the Corvallis Knights. This is their second loss against the Knights, as they lost 12-6 back on May 22, a week before the WCL season began. Poffenroth and Trig Berens played in that game before heading to the Bears.
Luke Kovac and JR Starr lead the offense. Both of them are tied for the most runs (6) and hits (10) on NW Star. Kovac also leads the team in RBI (6). Zach Dinublio has the most IP (17) on the pitching staff, holding a 5.29 ERA while striking out 14, also a team high.
After this series, the Bears will go to Ridgefield on July 14. They will continue the suspended game from June 30 at 4:30 p.m., then play the originally scheduled game 30 minutes after game one ends. NW Star will also play Ridgefield next, but after the all-star break, as they will play two at the RORC on July 18-19.
The Nighthawks-Black Bears series begins on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at David Story Field. Game two on Saturday will also start at 6:35 p.m., with Cowlitz having a rare Sunday off-day before Ridgefield. 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.