Bend claims back to back home shutout wins

Luke Hines led the Elks clean pitching performance. (Sage Young)

Bend, OR - Bend completed its second straight home shutout Friday, rolling past Ridgefield 6-0 in the Elks' return to Vince Genna Stadium. 

Bend (11-8, 11-8) has been balling on the bump, tossing 21 straight scoreless frames at Genna over the past week.

Luke Hines (1-2) led the start of the later nine of the recent scoreless stretch, hucking six and third clean frames plus four punchouts.

Relievers Matt Rowatt and Porter Rovin retired all of the final eight Raptors (8-11, 8-11) they faced to lock down the victory in the series opener.

The Elks' phenomenal pitching was supported by an early offense that created a cushion, Bend cruised on the rest of the way. 

Just like the night before, the Elks struck first on a Brian Duroff one-run base hit and Vinny Salvione sacrifice fly. 

After a scoreless second, Bend built up a four-run cluster across the third and fourth frames on a Johnny Elliot two-out, two RBI single and Kaleb Karpstein’s one-run hit supported by a Salvione RBI fielder's choice. 

Salvione now has three consecutive games with an RBI and ranks second on the team, right behind his Portland roommate Jace Miller. 

Bend will look to carry its scoreless pitching streak and offensive consistency into Game 2 Saturday in hopes of clinching the series win. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium. Get your tickets now!