The Kamloops NorthPaws lost their first game of the season on Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham. The Bells scored three in the first inning, and then neither team plated a run for the rest of the game. Pitching was on full display, as there were just five combined hits in the game.
In the bottom of the first, NorthPaws starting pitcher Mason Chien had an 0-2 count and ended up walking the leadoff batter. A crafty bunt forced a throwing error and put runners on the corners. A couple of pitches later, Bellinghams’ third batter hit a ground ball up the third base side that third baseman Joey Marino struggled with on the transfer from glove to throwing hand, allowing the runner to be safe and the first run to score.
During the next at-bat, Chien threw ball four that turned into a wild pitch, making it 2-0. The Bells would add a base hit to load the bases, and a past ball would bring in the third and eventual final run of the ballgame. Chien would get out of the bases-loaded jam and cap the damage at just three runs.
Unfortunately for the NorthPaws, they couldn’t keep their bats hot. Bells Lefty starter Callum Young threw three no-hit innings before exiting the game. Kamloops had a pair of runners on after Marino and Keegan Drinkle both walked, they would be stranded on base. The NorthPaws would leave nine runners on base and were unable to get that extra situational hit to get on the board.
In the fifth, Kamloops had their best chance to score. A single and two walks loaded the bases with one out when Shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent a fly ball to left center field that looked to be deep enough for Kieran Gaffney to tag from third. Gaffney tagged up, but the throw from left field was perfect; the Bells turned two and escaped the inning unscathed.
In the sixth, the NorthPaws had runners at second and third with one out when catcher Matt MacDonald hit a sharp grounder to first that was snagged by the first baseman. Cade Palkowski was bolting for home, but yet another great throw got him at the plate, preserving the shutout.
“They made some nice plays out there tonight; if those plays go our way, it’s a completely different game, but it went their way tonight,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.
Despite the offensive woes, the pitching staff combined for eight scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and walking two batters. Keith Manby went three innings, striking out a pair of Bells, while Macallister Gatzke and Luke Petrie both finished the game with clean innings. After giving up nine runs to Port Angeles on Sunday afternoon, this is a massive feat for a staff that can only gain confidence from this collective performance.
“This definitely helps, but I’ll always have confidence in this staff; I think we have a lot of good arms and a lot of depth; if we go out there and pitch to our strengths no matter who we face, I think we’ll have a good shot,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.
Although the offence didn’t come through in certain moments, the bullpen’s efforts can be something for the team to build upon as the series continues.
“They (the bullpen) gave us a chance to still be in that game, so we definitely owe them one,” said Jepson.
The NorthPaws will be back at it on Wednesday night for game two in Bellingham. Same time, same place, 6:35, first pitch, and you can watch on West Coast League TV or listen along on the NorthPaws Mixlr.
Source
You must be logged in to post a comment Login