Elks top Nighthawks in non-league opener
Bend native Simon Lemke helped shut down the Nighthawks late noise. (Sage Young)
Bend, OR - Bend got back on the right foot Friday night at Vince Genna Stadium with a 5-3 win over the Northwest Star Nighthawks in the Elks non league opener.
Coming off its second shutout loss of the season, Bend (14-11) got the bats going early with a two-run opening frame.
But the Elks didn't settle there, tacking on additional runs in the second, fourth, and seventh for the necessary separation to secure the victory.
Bend's early offensive opportunities were enabled by free passes granted by Nighthawks pitching.
Bend scored three of its five runs on RBI walks and had nine total hits on the night.
Cole Calnon was responsible for the Bend's lone RBI knock, while Tyler Peterson provided the fifth and final run on the Elks' first successful suicide squeeze of the summer.
All of Northwest Stars' offensive production came from the Nighthawks' two and three-hole hitters, Jayce Nagler and Collin Schiller, who combined for the team's mere five hits.
Elks starter Lucas Hines (2-2) earned his second straight win with a season-high seven strikeouts over five frames and one earned run allowed while the hometown kid Simon Lemke cinched up his second save of the summer, matching his team-leading total from last season.
Bend will look to bunker down and win the series over Northwest Star on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium. Get your tickets now!
