Pippins Continue Tear, Down Dudes 13-5

Janavs strikes out four, Wild fans six in win

The Pippins rode 11 walks and 12 hits to score 13 runs Thursday against the Redmond Dudes, while Pippins pitchers struck out 16 Dudes and held them to just 5 runs for a non-league victory.

The Pippins will take Friday off before hosting the Cascade League All-Stars for a three-game set beginning Saturday, when the Pippins will host a Juneteenth/Celebrate Equality Night presented by Saol Salon, Haven Salon and Indigo Salon, with fireworks after the game.

Weston Janavs, in his first appearance since June 10 when he recorded just one out while allowing three unearned runs, struck out three hitters in his first two innings. He allowed just one runner in the second inning, as Davis Miller reached after hitting Sam Olsson’s glove hand on his swing to cause catcher’s interference.

Olsson was removed from the game, and Blake Dickman moved to catcher from first base. Noah Williamson was called upon to replace Dickman at first base and hit in Olsson’s spot in the lineup.

The Pippins scored first with a three-run bottom of the second inning. Corey Jarrell singled off Redmond starter Brock Wrolstad with one out, and Connor Bane walked with two outs before Spencer Marenco tripled them both home. Mason Marenco then doubled him home.

Janavs did surrender two unearned runs in his third inning of work. He finished with four strikeouts and no walks, leaving with a 3-2 lead, but did not pitch long enough to receive the win.

The win instead was credited to Owen Wild, who pitched the next three innings, keeping Redmond off the scoreboard and striking out six dudes while walking none and allowing just two hits.

Alex Shanks and Blake Dickman led off the third inning with base hits before the bases were loaded by an Austin Plante walk. Jordan Hara doubled two runs in with one out before the Dudes made their first pitching change.

With Joe Schwab pitching, Connor Bane walked to load the bases again before Spencer Marenco walked to force the third run of the inning home. Mason Marenco grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Hara from third to give the Pippins a 7-2 lead, which would stand until the bottom of the seventh inning.

Hara and Bane walked to start the inning, and Spencer Marenco was hit on the shoulder to load the bases with one out. Mason Marenco then flew out to left for a sacrifice fly to score Hara from third base.

Williamson walked to load the bases with two outs before another mid-inning pitching change for the Dudes. Shanks, first to face Luke Snedeker, doubled to clear the bases and increase the Pippins lead to 11-2.

Peyton Stumbo, in his first appearance with the Pippins, struck out two while allowing just one hit in a scoreless seventh inning before a bumpier eighth. After walking the leadoff batter, Vierra doubled a third run of the game home before he was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple. 

Stumbo then allowed a double, walk, and Alex Black reached on a dropped third strike to load the bases with two outs before Blake Walden doubled home the final two runs of the game for the Dudes.

The Pippins would add two more thanks to a Hara double, Bane single and Spencer Marenco doubling home the 13th run before he was thrown out trying to leg out his second triple of the game.

Dann Blanchard closed the door in the ninth with three strikeouts to seal the 13-5 victory.

The Pippins have now won their last eight games and are 10-2 overall to start the season.

By Chris Rosato Jr.

June 18, 2021