Pippins Use Strong Pitching, Timely Offense to Top Ridgefield

RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – The Yakima Valley Pippins got their 2019 season off on the right note on Tuesday night, topping the Ridgefield Raptors on the road, 4-3, in the first game in Raptors franchise history.

The Pippins (1-0) fell behind early, when Raptors shortstop Jonny Weaver singled into right field to score Grayson Sterling. That lead would hold until the top of the 5th, when the Pippins broke out for 3 runs against Raptors (0-1) starting pitcher Michael Spellacy.

Riley Gill beat out an infield single with one out, and then Korrey Siracusa walked. After Tommy Davis reached on an error, the Pippins used a Tyler Pittman groundout and Zach Lew RBI double to tag 3 on Spellacy. The right-hander would end the night allowing the 3 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts over 6 innings.

For the Pippins, left-handed starter Dylan Barkley was solid through his 6-plus innings, although he surrendered a game-tying home run to Raptors designated hitter Dominic Enbody in the 6th inning. Barkley finished with a final line of 6 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), no walks, and 6 strikeouts. He was relieved by Mark Woinarowicz in the 7th inning, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief, allowing 1 hit.

The Pippins took the lead for good in the top of the 8th against Raptors reliever Spencer Andersen. Tyler Pittman worked a 12-pitch at-bat and reached on an infield single, and later scored on an RBI double from Daniel Cipriano, that landed just fair down the right field line and gave the Pippins a 4-3 lead.

Joe Magrisi came on in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side on 10 pitches to earn his first save of the season. Woinarowicz earned his first win, while Andersen took the loss for the Raptors.

Pittman led the offensive charge for the Pippins, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Lew also added 2 hits and an RBI. For the Raptors, only Sterling (2-for-4) had multi-hit games.

The series continues on Wednesday when the Pippins and Raptors meet for game 2 at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM PT. Scott Youngbrandt is expected to pitch for the Pippins.

By Miles Klotz

June 5, 2019