Elks Walk-Off Pippins in 11th Inning, Win 7-6

BEND, Oregon — Justin Tsukada’s two-out single in the 11th scored Tyler Peterson from second, lifting the Bend Elks past the Yakima Valley Pippins 7-6 on Wednesday.

The heroics capped a wild ninth-inning comeback in which the Elks scored four runs to tie the game. Luca DiPiaolo doubled in the first run and Ruben Cedilla singled home DiPiaolo with no outs to chase reliever Evan Hamberger in favor of Jackson Betancourt.

Betancourt got a strikeout for the first out, but surrendered a single before getting another strikeout. But back-to-back walks forced in a run, and a throwing error on a grounder to deep short scored the tying run. A third strikeout ended the inning.

The Pippins pitching woes squandered a strong offensive night for Yakima Valley, which banged out 10 hits. The four YV hurlers combined to walk 10 batters.

CJ Colyer led the offense with a 3-for-4, two-RBI effort, and Zack Blaszak finished 2-for-6 with two RBI. Owen Egan also had two hits.

The rubber match of the series begins at 6:35 p.m. Thursday before the Pippins return home to host the Victoria HarbourCats in a three-game set starting Friday.

By Logan Peter

July 5, 2023