Pickles Win Second Straight Road Series Over Elks
BEND, Ore. (June 16, 2024) – In a tightly contested series, the Portland Pickles (8-5) steal two on the road against the Bend Elks (8-7). The Pickles sit in second place in the South Division of the WCL standings.
GAME 1 RECAP:
A low scoring affair turned into a 2-0 series-opening win for the Pickles. Runs in the second and sixth innings were both brought in by two singles from center fielder Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma). On the mound the Pickles were paced by starting left-hander Brock Roundy (Utah Tech) and right-hander Shay Timmer (Salt Lake CC) combining for eight innings, nine strikeouts, six hits, and no runs. Roundy’s start was his second of the season as he threw a season high five strikeouts and four innings. He also broke Pickles's streak of being a starting pitcher in every game this season. Timmer threw in his third game of the season earning his first win in four innings of relief work.
Right fielder Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) and left fielder Tony Otis (Pacific) both earned a steal in the game bringing each to four stolen bases on the year. Four Pickles’ hitters recorded multi-hit games. Second baseman Tyler Harries (San Francisco) went a perfect 3-3 with three singles. First baseman Kevin Ferguson (Hawaii) added two more singles, as well as Otis. Harries recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season. Alex Overbay (UNLV) recorded a walk for his fifth straight game with at least one walk in a game this season, and his sixth time getting on base in eight games this season as well. It was the Pickles second straight road series with a game one win.
Game 2 RECAP:
Bend Elks started out hot with two runs in the bottom of the first. The Pickles failed to record a hit until the top of the fifth. It was all fives in the fifth. Five hits, and five runs in the fifth would help the Pickles take game two of the series over the Elks 6-4. The Pickles pitching staff would limit the Elks with two runs in the first inning, and two in the ninth inning. Six pickle hitters would go on and record a hit in the game.
Shunsuke Sakaino (CSUN) pinch hitter in the fifth inning was the only Pickle hitter with two hits in the game. A fifth inning single helped propel the five run inning. Sakaino recorded his third and fourth hit of the season going 2-3, with two singles and recording two runs. Catcher Nate Wood (South Alabama) reached base once with a single and has reached base at least once in five of eight games this season. A couple of Pickles earned their first start this season. Shortstop Jack Metcho (Pacific) recorded his first hit and run of the season. Left-handed pitcher, Christien Banda (LBSU) did not pitch in the game, but started as the Pickles designated-hitter. Banda hit second in the lineup, and went 1-3 with a single, a run, and two RBI. Leadoff man Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) recorded a hit and reached base safely for his ninth time in ten games.
In back-to-back games a Pickles starter made their second start of the season. In his third appearance, and second start, left-hander Shaydon Benson (College of Southern Idaho) worked three innings, three hits, two runs, with one strikeout. Right-hander Matthew Shapiro made his second appearance of the season, earning his first win of the season with four shutout innings, shutting down the Elks. A pair of pitchers made their debut with left-hander Noah Ficklin (BYU) throwing 1.2 innings. Alex Overbay (UNLV) made his pitching debut with .1 innings pitched and strikeout to secure the win.
GAME 3 RECAP:
A game where there were five total hits, the Portland Pickles would fall to the Bend Elks by a walk-off single in 10 innings 1-0. The Pickles were held to two hits, a single by third baseman Jack Metcho (Pacific) in the third inning, and an eighth inning double from catcher Connor Stewart (CSUN), recording his second double of the season. The Pickles would leave four runners on base, struggling to occupy the bases all game. Second baseman Shunsuke Sakaino (CSUN) recorded two walks, reaching base safely in seven of nine games this season. Shortstop Chipper Beck also recorded a steal for his third steal of the season.
An impressive start in his season debut, right-hander Freddie Rodriguez (Hawaii) threw six innings, allowing just one hit, no walks, and striking out six Bend batters. Left-hander Noah Luchessi (Sacramento State) appeared in his team-leading fourth game of the season. Luchessi threw a season high two innings, giving up one hit, one walk, one strikeout, and no runs. Right-hander Carter Speights (UC Davis) made his Pickles’ debut on the mound as well.
Notable Player/Team Stats in the WCL:
Patrick Keighran (San Francisco) sits tied for first with six, and fifth with 13 runs.
Tanner Griffith (St. Marys) sits fourth with 11 walks.
Sam Christiansen (Oklahoma) sits in second with 8 stolen bases.
Team Offense is fifth in total runs (79), and fourth in total walks (74) and OBP (.376).
Pitching staff is first in hits allowed (70), AVG against (.168), second in ERA (2.48) and WHIP (1.17), and third in total strikeouts (128).
Next Up:
The Portland Pickles will return home to Walker Stadium and host the Cowlitz Black Bears June 18th-20th for a three-game home series. They will then host another three-game home series and host the Nanaimo NightOwls June 21st-23rd.
Ticket Info: https://www.picklestickets.com/
