Pippins Offense Breaks Out in 10-3 Win Over Lefties

An explosive offense helped Cullen Kafka pick up his first win of the season as the Pippins beat the Port Angeles Lefties 10-3.

Kafka struggled in the first inning allowing five straight base runners after recording the first out. After a one out double, Dalton Harum drove a single to center field. Cole Pofek came up firing from center and was able to cut down the runner at the plate. The Lefties would later grab their first run of the inning on an RBI single from Kyle Schimpf. Kafka escaped more damage by stranding the bases loaded, getting Cameron Allie to ground to second for the final out.

After stranding the bases loaded in the second inning, the Pippins finally found the big hit they had been looking for in the series. With two on and one out, Pofek drove a Garrett Westburg pitch over the center field wall to give the Pippins a 3-1 lead. It was Pofek’s fourth home run and brought him to 18 RBI on the season, both team highs.

The Pippins played add on in the fourth. With one on and one out, Robert Ball hit a line drive base hit down the right field line, scoring Tyler Hollow. Cody Jefferis and Jake Moberg followed later in the inning with run scoring singles, extending the lead to 6-1.

In the fifth, the Pippins offense stayed hot. With two outs and a runner at first, Chris Arpan pinch hit for Hollow and on the first pitch he saw, lined a ball over the center field wall for his second home run of the season. The Pippins tacked on another run in the inning on an RBI single by Jefferis to take a 9-1 lead. Jefferis had four hits and two RBI on the night.

Kafka settled down after the first inning giving up just an unearned run through his final five frames before the Pippins went to the bullpen in the seventh.

The Pippins grabbed their final run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Cameron Campbell who was playing in his first game for the Pippins.

Drew Hurst and Kaleb Strawn pitched the final three innings allowing just one run. The Lefties put together a rally in the ninth, loading the bases with no outs. Strawn was able to buckle down and strike out the side to preserve the Pippins 10-3 win.

The Pippins have a chance to pick up their first road series win in the final game against the Lefties on Sunday. First pitch at 1:05.

By Kevin Vallene

July 8, 2018