Elks Go Out at Genna With a Bang

Zach Romero twirled with a gem going the longest distance of any Elks pitcher this summer leading Bend to a dominate win in their final home game of the regular season. (Andrew Green)

Bend, OR. - The Bend Elks destroyed the Springfield Drifters 10-2 Thursday to secure the series win and end their summer at Vince Genna Stadium on a high note.

In one of the most well-rounded performances from Bend (27-28, 24-27) this season, the Elks rallied for ten runs on offense while limiting Springfield (24-30, 21-30) to just two runs on defense in a beautiful baseball game to finish off a great summer at Genna. The difference maker in the ballgame came in the third inning when the Elks posted a crooked six-run frame set up by three consecutive walks that were supported by three RBI knocks. Beyond that point, Bend could hit cruise control behind Zach Romero (1-0), who had the longest outing of any Elks pitcher this summer, going six and ⅔ innings with four strikeouts countered by just four hits and one walk.

The only run that Romero surrendered came on a wild pitch in the first provided Gage Bruce an avenue to score the game's first run. Springfield did not score its next and only other run until the eighth when Jake Stoner scored on a Bruce RBI groundout. It was the second time this season that the Elks scored double-digit runs and limited their opponent to two runs.

Although Bend had a comfortable lead early on, the Elks still added extra insurance runs in the fifth on a two-out two-RBI single by Avery Ortiz and the eighth on a one-run double by Luca Dipaolo. Wilson Weber and Ortiz each had three hits for the first time this summer, while Dipaolo had two doubles to grow his West Coast League lead to 15 two-baggers.

Bend's postseason aspirations now hinge on the outcome of two series. The Elks must win their final series of the season on the road against the Cowlitz Black Bears while also getting help from Portland, who must lose two of their three-game set against Walla Walla. Shall all that come to pass, Bend would host their first playoff game since the Elks won the West Coast League Championship in 2015 Tuesday against Ridgefield.