Elks Complete Thrilling Extra Inning Comeback Win over Port Angeles

Avery Ortiz sparked the come-from-behind climb on a grand slam in the fifth inning. (Andrew Green)

Port Angeles, WA. - After finding themselves trailing by five runs entering the fifth inning, the Bend Elks managed to battle all the way back to top the Port Angeles Lefties 10-8 in an extra inning down-to-the-wire thriller.

One swing changed the entire tale of what appeared to be a lopsided effort in favor of the Lefties. With a bases load, two strikes, and two outs, Avery Ortiz delivered a towering Grand Slam to left center to turn a 7-2 deficit into a one-run ballgame. Ortiz would come through in clutch time yet again in the seventh when he smacked an RBI single to tie the game in the seventh while scoring the leading run on a knock from Tyler Peterson.

Although the Elks pitching staff struggled to contain the Lefties, who had a hay day early on with three runs on five hits in the opening frame and four runs on five hits in the third, the Elks middle-end relievers Braeden Munger and Shane Buchanan managed to work four scoreless innings with five of the Elks 14 strikeouts combined. Brynner Wailoma's overpowering fastball didn't have its typical strength as the Lefties knocked him around for three hits, including an RBI single by Roberto Nunez to tie the game 8-8. After that, the Elks looked to Ethan Krupp, and Bend's hype man did not disappoint, posting an eight-pitch inning in the ninth to send the game to extra innings. This is when the game really got interesting.

The Elks went down in order on offense to start putting the pressure quickly back on the defense to perform. Krupp recorded the first out with no problem but then surrendered a walk and a base hit to put the winning run 180 feet away. Nunez, who delivered the RBI base hit to tie the game in the eighth, then provided a strike to right field that was almost destined to score a run. Elks Right Fielder Ryan Christiansen, who hit a two-run homer earlier in the game, charged the ball, cocked back, and let it eat. His throw was on the money to Luca Dipaolo, who laid on the tag to prevent the winning run from coming across and keep the Elks alive for another batter. Krupp would wave the next batter he faced with his third strikeout, and the herd came stomping into the dugout with overflowing energy that consumed everyone around it.

In the top of the eleventh, Ruben Cedillo worked a lead-off walk to give Bend its first baserunner since the seventh. Port Angeles then intentionally walked Beau Sylvester to put runners at first and second with one out for Jake Hoskins. Hoskins, who had a season-high three hits the night before in the series finale against Cowlitz, stayed hot on the road, slapping a ball the opposite way, planting just inside the right field line giving Cedillo and Sylvester enough time to score. At the same time, Hoskins slid into second with a two-run double to give Bend a two-run lead with just three outs left to secure the W.

The Elks looked no further than their best closer, Jackson "Bubbles" Bolander, to slam the door in the eleventh. After giving up back-to-back base hits to start the frame, Bubbles delivered the goods with three strikeouts to fan the side, securing the hard come-from-behind victory and putting an end to the Elks' 16-hour long day that started back in Bend at 6 a.m

Krupp (1-1) earned his first win of the summer, while Bolander earned his first save. The dynamic duo each recorded three strikeouts and left four Lefties stranded. As a staff, Bend tied its season high of 14 strikeouts, marking the Elks' eighth game with double-digit Ks.

Ortiz led the Elks offense going two for four with five RBI and two runs scored. Christiansen and Molony also had multiple RBI. Despite not recording a hit, Maddox Molony still managed to contribute, working two walks and a hit-by-pitch to score three crucial runs for the Elks.

Bend (19-19,16-18) will try to rest and recover before taking on the Lefties again in game two Saturday at 6:35 p.m., hoping to secure a series win over Port Angeles (11-26, 10-24) for the second time this season.