Crooked Innings Ignite Elks Series Win Over Yakima Valley

Braeden Terry led Bend with four hits in the victory over Yakima Valley. (Andrew Green)

Yakima, WA - A Bend Elks squad powered by an offensive middle inning explosion rolled its way to a 17-10 win over the Yakima Valley Pippins to take its second straight series.

After trailing 5-2 entering the top of the fourth, the Elks would score 15 runs over the next two innings to put away the Pippins. The rally started with an eight spot in the fourth, the most runs by the Elks in any inning this season, with run-scoring hits from Elijah Jackson, Beau Sylvester, Braeden Terry, and Niko Rosell.

However, Yakima Valley would respond with four runs in the bottom of the frame to shorten the deficit to just one. Little did the Pippins know what would happen next.

The Elks proceeded to score seven runs over the next inning, taking advantage of several free passes from Yakima Valley, who walked in three runs for the Elks and gave up two sacrifice flies in the fifth.

Terry led Bend with four hits and two RBI, while Sylvester, Ty Silva, Brennan Davis, and Jake Hoskins each had multi-hit games. Davis reached base in all six at-bats, going 3-3 with three walks, three runs scored, and two RBI. Rosell chipped in a game-high three RBI.

Eli Takalo (1-0) was the winning pitcher for the Elks going 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run and one walk.

Bend, who is winners of three straight, has now won the past three series against Yakima Valley and seven of the last eight meetings. The Elks (4-4) will look to extend their win streak and complete the road sweep of the Pippins (3-5) Sunday at 6:05 p.m. at Yakima County Stadium.