Pippins Pick up Second Non-League Win Against River City Athletics

After a tough series in Portland, the Pippins rebounded and defeated the River City Athletics in a non-league matchup 8-2.

The Pippins got out to an early lead in the second. After a two out double by Jonathan Imperial, Shawn Grandmont followed with an RBI single, giving the Pippins a 1-0 lead.

The Athletics answered in the third. With the bases loaded in the third, a catcher’s interference call with Chase Oldham at the plate tied the game.

In the fourth inning, the Pippins offense would get hot and take the lead for good. A leadoff single and a stolen base got Conor Allard to second and Bryce Wooldridge would drive him in with a single. The inning would continue with a single from Grandmont a wild pitch and a double from Victor Cerny would bring two more runs home. Elijah Greene drove in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. The Pippins added another run in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead.

On the mound, Mason Wells was strong through three innings, giving up just one unearned run while striking out five. Two newcomers, Cullen Kafka and Chase Farrell would pitch the next five innings giving up just one run on four hits while striking out seven combined.

Athletics starter Blake Collier went  six innings giving up six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

The Pippins played add-on in the eighth with a two run double by Elijah Greene staking the Pippins to an 8-2 lead. Kaleb Strawn pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win.

Before getting back to WCL play, the Pippins have one more non-league game against the Northwest Honkers on Sunday at 6:05.

By Kevin Vallene

June 17, 2018