Bend’s bats go quiet in series finale loss at Springfield

Springfield, OR - The comeback kids of Bend' fell flat in the series finale Sunday against Springfield, dropping 2-1 to the Drifters, who avoided being swept on their home turf.

Bend (4-5, 4-5) went scoreless through the first seven frames, not managing to figure out Springfield (3-6, 3-6) starter Kayden Sandow, who retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced.

The Elks continued to struggle against Drifters' pitching, going scoreless over the next three frames until Vinny Salvione scrapped across Bend's lone run on an RBI groundout that brought home Luke Reece.

The Elks matched Springfield's dominance of the bump but not in the field. Former Drifter Cole Calnon (0-1) flexed his muscle against his former team, tossing seven innings while surrendering no earned runs with two strikeouts.

Yet, it was a sloppy third inning that ultimately cost the Elks a chance at a sweep. Bend shortstop Cole Hubka tried to turn two but made a throwing error on his toss to first, allowing former Elk Brandon Stinnett to come across to score. Later in the frame, Andy Miller, who benefited from the error, scored himself due to a wide throw of home.

Alejandro Cazorla and Devin Carter were responsible for half of the Elks' eight hits. It is the third time in Bend's nine games this season that the Elks have been limited to one run.

Bend gets a day to recover tomorrow and will be back in action Tuesday to take on Springfield in a second three-game series at Vince Genna Stadium. Get your tickets now!