The Cowlitz Black Bears took care of business in their opening series following the West Coast League All-Star break, sweeping the Walla Walla Sweets this past weekend at home.
The Black Bears won by margins of 8-3, 20-7, and 5-3. In Friday’s game, the Black Bears fell behind 1-0 in the third inning, but Nick Miller’s five RBIs and two hits powered the offense to the series-opening win. On Saturday, the Black Bears took advantage of five walks to begin the bottom of the first inning, putting up seven runs en route to the resounding thirteen-run win.
On Sunday, the Sweets took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but JJ Kennett’s bases-clearing, three-run double in the fourth inning gave the Black Bears the lead for good, plus Carter Monda scored an insurance run after he was hit-by-a-pitch to lead off the eighth inning to complete the sweep in the 5-3 win. A notable standout from the weekend was Caleb Rozier. Rozier (Park Univ. Gilbert) made his debut on Friday and had six hits on the weekend.
The Black Bears’ playoff push continues this week with a trip to Bend to face the Elks. The Elks lead the season series 2-1. The Black Bears won the series opener on July 9, 3-1, but fell in the final two games, 11-2 and 7-3. The Elks took two of three from the Knight last weekend in Corvallis in their first post-All-Star game series.
The Black Bear-Elks series will begin on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend, OR. 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.