Another Road Trip, Another Pickles Series Win
RIDGEFIELD, Wash. (June 30, 2024) – The Portland Pickles (17-8) did it again on the road in a series win against the Ridgefield Raptors (10-13). The Pickles won their fifth straight series of the year, and have the second best winning percentage in the WCL.
An impressive start to the year, the Pickles bounced back from a game one defeat. Only two hits in the first game was rare, as the Pickles were held to no runs for only the second time this season. The Pickles would then bounce back with 22 hits combined in games two and three, as well as stellar defense committing no errors. The Corvallis Knights have clinched the first half south division title, and have clinched a spot in the WCL Playoffs. The Pickles sit only 2.5 games back of the Knights, and sit in prime spot for a second half WCL title, and a playoff spot. If the Knights win the south division in the second half, then the second best team in the division will clinch the other playoff spot (The Portland Pickles currently hold that second playoff spot).
GAME 1:
Coming off an emotional walk-off win in Yakima over the Pippins, the bats were cold to start the series. A three run first inning for the Raptors would help them cruise to a 4-0 victory. Coming into the game, the Pickles were ranked first in fielding percentage in the WCL, but a pair of errors, and only two hits were deciding factors in the loss. Left fielder Dominic Chacon (GCU) had both hits for the Pickles and went 2 for 3 with two singles. Designated hitter Patrick Keigrhan (San Francisco) added two walks and a HBP as well. The Pickles only held three runners on base, as they were too tough to come by in game one.
Right-hander reliever Shay Timmer (Salt Lake CC) continued his dominance on the mound. Timmer has yet to give up an earned run this year, but was hit around a bit in his two innings of work giving up four runs with one strikeout. Right-hander Drew Stapleton (San Jose State) threw a season high three innings in relief, giving up one hit and adding a strikeout while giving up no runs in his third appearance of the season. Left-hander Kenny Ishikawa matched a season-high two innings and added a strikeout, while giving up no runs.
GAME 2:
It was an opposite opening script in game two. The Pickles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, and were able to add a run in the fourth, sixth, and seventh to win game two of the series 6-4 and force another rubber match in game three. The Raptors did put a pair of runs up on the scoreboard in the second and fourth inning, but were kept in check by two Pickles relievers in the last five innings. The defense bounced back as well with no errors and turning two double plays.
In his fourth appearance on the season, left-hander Nolan Ficklin (BYU) came in to pitch in the fifth inning. Ficklin did walk four Raptors, but also added four strikeouts and gave up only one hit in 1.2 innings. It was then left-hander Noah Luchessi’s turn (Sacramento State) who came in to pitch in the sixth inning with two outs appeared in his team leading seventh game this season. Luchessi threw a season high 3.1 innings, and earned his second win of the season (His second in his last three appearances). Luchessi struck out five, two walks, and no runs on no hits.
It was a balanced attack from the Pickles’ lineup as six different hitters recorded a hit, and three different hitters recorded one HBP. Leadoff man and third baseman Patrick Keigrhan (San Francisco) recorded two hits, and two HBP on the day. Shortstop Jack Metcho (Pacific) went 1 for 2 with a run, a hit, and two walks. In the seventh inning, Tony Otis (Pacific) came in to pinch hit for the Pickles and recorded a solo home run for his second of the season. Catcher Conner Stewart (CSUN) also added an RBI. The Pickles left 12 runners on base, but were able to take advantage of three Raptors errors in the contest while also being out hit (8-7).
GAME 3:
A four run fifth inning and stellar starting pitching would guide the Pickles for the game three victory and their fifth straight series win. The Raptors failed to get a big inning going, as they left 12 runners on the base. It was another clean slate from the field for the Pickles after two errors in game one as they rolled on to secure their fifth straight series win.
In the game three win, the Pickles recorded 15 hits, and all nine starters recorded at least one hit. Four hitters recorded multi-hit games (Keigrhan, Gouveia, Stewart, and Otis), and Gouveia and Otis recorded three hit games. Third baseman Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) recorded three hits with two doubles and added a RBI. Patrick Keighran recorded a single and a home run for his first home run of the season. Center fielder Tony Otis (Pacific) recorded three singles, two runs, two RBI, and added two stolen bases.
In his third start on the knoll this season, right-hander Freddie Rodriguez (Hawaii) recorded his third straight game pitching five or more innings. In five innings, Rodriguez struck out six Raptors, allowing one run on one hit, and recorded his second win of the season. With one out and runners on first and third, right-hander Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) recorded a 6-4-3 double play to hold the Raptors to one run in the innings, and maintain the 7-3 lead. Gienger would throw the rest of the way recording 2.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits, and striking out two Raptors. It was also another clean slate from the field for the Pickles’ defense after two errors in game one of the series.
SEASON NOTES:
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) has reached base safely in 19 of 22 games this season, and has recorded at least one run in 17 games.
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) has reached base safely in 20 of 23 games this season. Griffith has recorded five multi-hit games, and leads the team with 23 walks this season.
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) has recorded back-to-back multi-hit games and recorded his first home run of the season. Keighran has also recorded at least two runs in six games this season.
Dominic Chacon (GCU) has recorded at least one hit in six of the last eight games, and has recorded four multi-hit games. Chacon has reached base safely in 14 of 16 games played this season.
Alex Gouveia (UC Davis) has reached base safely in 10 of 12 games played this season. Gouveia has recorded five multi-hit games this season, and three games with at least three hits.
Connor Stewart (CSUN) has recorded five multi-hit games this season. Stewart has reached base safely in 14 of 17 games played this season.
Shunsuke Sakaino (CSUN) has reached base safely in 15 of 17 games played this season.
Tyler Harries (San Francisco) has recorded five multi-hit games this season.
Nate Wood (South Alabama) has recorded a hit in five of the last seven games.
Brock Roundy (Utah Tech) has recorded 5+ strikeouts in three of four games pitched, and has not given up a run this season in 16 innings pitched.
Murphy Gienger (Northern Colorado) has recorded 4+ strikeouts in four of five appearances this season, and leads the team in innings pitched (18).
Freddie Rodriguez (Hawaii) has thrown for 5+ innings in all three appearances this season, and has won two of three starts this season.
Shay Timmer (Salt Lake CC) is tied for second on the team in innings pitched (16) and strikeouts (19).
Dylan Smith (Northern Colorado) has thrown at least 3+ innings in every appearance this season, and is tied for second on the team with 16 innings pitched.
Noah Luchessi (Sacramento State) leads the team with seven appearances this season.
The Pickles won their eighth series of the season, and have won eight of nine this season, while winning their fifth straight series.
The Pickles are 9-4 at home, 8-4 on the road, and 8-2 in their last 10 games
PICKLES IN THE WCL (AS OF JUNE 30th 5PM):
The Pickles sit second overall in winning percentage (.680). Team defense is second in fielding percentage (.977).
Offense is second in total walks (147), HBP (55), Sacrifice Hits (32), second in stolen bases (56), OBP (.387), second in runs scored (153), and fourth in RBI (117).
Pitching is first in hits allowed (153), strikeouts (233), SLG allowed (.233), AVG against (.191), second in runs allowed (68), second in earned runs (74), ERA (2.91), and third in WHIP (1.24). third in wins (17).
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) sits first in total walks (23), first in OBP (.490) and fifth in HBP (7).
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) is first in OBP (.490), tied first in HBP (12), tied second in runs scored (23), and fourth in total walks (18).
Connor Stewart (CSUN) sits fourth in HBP (8).
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) sits tied first in stolen bases (13), and sixth in total walks (16).
Dominic Chacon (GCU) sits eighth in OBP (.441).
Brock Roundy (Utah Tech) and Shay Timmer (Salt Lake CC) sit first in ERA (.000).
NEXT UP:
The Portland Pickles (17-8) will travel to Walla Walla ( for a three-game series against the Walla Walla Sweets (9-16) July 1st-3rd. The Pickles will be home Monday, July 8th for a make up game against the Sweets before heading back on the road to face the Springfield Drifters (12-14) in a three-game series July 9th-11th.
Ticket Info: https://www.picklestickets.com/
