Bend bests Bells in Independence Day series

Elks starter Mason Edwards was excellent, leading Bend’s pitching pearl. (Andrew Forhan)

Bellingham, WA - Bend bested Bellingham 3-2 Wednesday, beating down the Bells bats to secure a huge cross-division series victory.

The Elks once again found themselves trailing by two early, only to eviscerate the deficit on one Luke Reece swing.

The Cal State San Marcos product, who hit 11 homers with the Cougars this spring, left the yard for the first time this summer on a two-run shot over the left-center wall to bring Bend back even with Bellingham.

In the following frame, Brian Duroff, who had been dinging balls everywhere except where there wasn’t a Bell, finally broke through with a bloop RBI single that gave Bend a lead they would not let up.

Once the Elks went ahead, they were in good hands, quite literally. 

Bend pitchers were phenomenal, striking out 12 Bells while only surrendering three hits and not a single earned run.

Mason Edwards started the game and Brian Harbour brought it home.

Edwards struck out a season-high seven batters and now has 15 total punchouts in his 10 perfect innings of work this summer.

Finn Edwards and Michael Meckna then bridged to Harbour, who silenced the crowd of over 3,000 fans, retiring all nine batters he faced, including three by punch out.

The future Torrero recorded his first save as an Elk to add the latest accomplishment to his impressive season resume of 10.1 scoreless frames thrown with nine K’s to just one walk.

Bend has now beaten Bellingham in three of its last four series against the Bells over the last four seasons.

Bend will try to break out the brooms in Bellingham and complete the holiday sweep of the Bells on Thursday at 4:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.

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