The Bend Elks (3-7) have been reeling, loosing 6 in a row. But their bad luck came to an end on Sunday (6/15) when they came from behind to beat the Victoria HarbourCats (5-4) for their 3rd win of the year, 7-6.
It was a chilly overcast day, and the Elks started the game off cold as well. It looked like it might be their 7th loss in a rown when the Harbour Cats jumped out to a 5-0 lead with 2 runs in the 1st, and 3 in the 3rd.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Elks bats came alive as 3B Nick Lopez (Fr. Creighton) walked to start the inning, as did 1B Jonathan Brooks (Jr, Occidental).
Former Bend High Lava Bear and IMC Player of the Year, DH/C Grant Newton (Jr, Seattle U.) slapped a single scoring Lopez.
After OF Jake Peeveyhouse struck out swinging, C Sam Finfer (Fesh, Seattle U.) walked, loading the bases.
Then Brooks scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdo2b6uhAsA
Bend native, OF Zack Close (JR, Chemeketa C.C.) followed with a single, scoring Newton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUxTZTU0KA
2B Antonio Roque (Soph, Western Nevada C.C.) drove in Finfer with a single, and Close tied up the game scoring from 3rd on a wild pitch.
The score stayed tied at 5, until the 8th. The HarbourCats regained the lead when CF Nathan Lukes was driven home by a 2B Sean Watkins single making it 6-5.
Relief pitcher Austin Guzzon (Jr. Corban Col.) struck out out Victoria 1B Bryce Greager to close the inning with two men on base.
The Elks stormed back with 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Lopez walked to open the inning. Brooks drove him home on a double to tie the score 6-6.
Justin Erldandson came in as a pinch runner for Brooks and scored the winning run when Close hit a two out single.
Relief pitcher Lois Cohen (Jr. Cal St. Northridge) closed out the game with his 3th save of the year.
The Elks are embarking on 9 game road trip where they will face Kitsap, Bellingham and Victoria starting Tuesday in Kitsap.
The next home game for the Elks will be on Friday, June 27th versus Walla Walla.
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