Bend's Bats Explode for 16 Runs to Snap Three-Game Losing Skid

Bend circled around the Cowlitz Black Bears in the series finale led by Shortstop Jake Hoskins, who had a season-high three hits. (Andrew Green)

Bend, OR. - The Bend Elks sent the Cowlitz Black Bears into hibernation Thursday after an offensive onslaught that led the Elks to a 16-3 win to avoid the sweep and snap its three-game losing streak.

Bend rallied for a season-high 18 hits that brought home 16 runs, seven of which came in a monster fourth-inning frame. After never leading at any point in the series, the Elks had had enough and erupted for eight runs that scored seven runs in the fourth. But Bend wasn't finished there as they had an entourage in the fifth, scoring four more runs to make for the Elks' first double-digit scoring effort in a WCL game since June 10th against the Yakima Valley Pippins.

The Elks delivered another blow to the Black Bears on a Ruben Cedillo solo moon shot well over the left field wall. Bend hammered the final nail in the coffin with a quad of runs in the eighth on RBI singles from Bennett Thompson, Ryan Christiansen, and Hunter Komine, plus an RBI walk by Tyler Peterson.

Six different Elks finished with multiple hits. Jake Hoskins led the charge with a season-best three hits to snap a seven-game hitless drought. Luca Dipaolo also recorded his first game with three hits. In just 16 games played, Dipaolo leads Bend with seven multi-hit games and ten doubles. Peterson drove in a team-best three runs.

In the field, the Elks kept the Black Bears from clawing back into the game, limiting Cowlitz to a series low three runs after they scored 25 combined over games one and two. Kellan Oakes responded well after allowing a run in the first inning, holding Cowlitz scoreless over the next three until he walked three batters in the fifth to cut his start short. Mahiro Tomita (3-2) inherited a bases-loaded jam and gave up a two-run single that went down on Oakes's behalf. Tomita would allow just two hits beyond that point over his next two innings. The two Jacksons finished the job over the final two frames, with Kelson and Bolander retiring six of the eight batters they faced, each hanging a K up in the process. In all, the Elks' pitching staff struck out eight batters and walked only six batters. Considering Bend walked 20 batters over the first two games, it was a successful outing for the staff on the hill.

Bend (18-19, 15-18) will now embark upon a long six-game road trip starting Friday seven hours up the coastline against the Port Angeles Lefties. All games can be viewed on the Peninsula Area Public Access Youtube Channel and listened to on Bend Elk's Mixlr.