Bears score 12, win their first game of the season

The Bears scored nine runs in the sixth inning, using their patient bats to score their most runs in a game this season, as they defeated the Redmond Dudes 12-5 for Highline’s first win of the season. In a substitution and pitching-change filled game, the deciding factor was ultimately which teams relief pitchers sported a better outing, and thanks to Cameron Jenkins, that went to the Bears.

Jenkins pitched five shutout innings of baseball, striking out nine batters during his extended relief stint in the win. “When coach called my name, I was ready,” Jenkins said. “I felt like all of my pitches were working tonight, and all my guys backed me up. I’m glad we were able to pick up the win.”

In the sixth inning, the Bears brought 14 players to the plate, and scored nine runs as the result. In doing so, they only had three hits in the inning, and their patient bats led to five walks, and two hit batters. After Beck struck out to start the inning, Wadowski and Wagner each got hits, and then the array of walks began. Clay Spacher would walk the bases loaded, and then Brenden Duncan would get credited with the first RBI after pitcher Andrew Wilmon walked him. Eventually Highline would regain the lead 11-5 at innings end, which would ultimately lead to the Bears’ first victory of the season.

The Bears would score first in the second inning, after a Bryce Beck walk and a Wadowski single led to Spacher slapping a single past first baseman Vinny Guinasso scoring both runners. But then in the top of the third, realizing that Bears starting pitcher Connor Bensen was having some control issues, Redmond decided to be patient at the dish as well.

Bensen would walk four batters, and hit two, leading to five runs plated by the Dudes in the third. Kyle Strash was credited with the first RBI after Riley Gill scored on a bases loaded walk. Coach Josh Evans then went with Colton Borg to finish out the third with the bases loaded and no outs, and Borg was able to do just that.

The Bears play the Redmond Dudes on Sunday and Monday to finish off a three game series.