Pippins Win Seventh Straight Game, Take Down Nighthawks

Great pitching, explosive offense lead Pippins to 10-run victory Wednesday

The Pippins scored eight runs in the first two innings of Wednesday night’s game against the NW Star Nighthawks to take an early lead that they would not let go, eventually winning 14-4.

With their seventh-straight win, the Pippins improve to 9-2 overall (7-2 in West Coast League Play) as they welcome in the Redmond Dudes Thursday for the first Thirsty Thursday of the season, presented by Northwest Peanut Company and Iron Horse Brewing.

The Pippins scored first with a five-run bottom of the first inning in which they recorded just one hit but walked three times and one batter was hit by a pitch.

The first two Pippins batters of the game reached on walks, then Mason Marenco doubled them home to start the scoring. The Pippins would load the bases again before Spencer Marenco hit a deep line drive to center field that went off Quadreece Teague’s glove, allowing three runs to score.

Joey Cammarata started for the Pippins, looking to rebound after starting the season with three earned runs given up in two innings over two appearances. He showed improved command, striking out the first batter of the game and keeping the Nighthawks off the board in the first inning.

He gave up a leadoff triple to Nick Laurenza, who scored on a sacrifice fly, before recording his second strikeout of the night and getting Ryan Kamp to line out to end the top of the second inning.

Corey Jarrell led off the bottom of the second inning with a base hit, and Chase Graves and Mason Marenco would walk and single, respectively, to load the bases with one out. Sam Olsson singled home Jarrell and Graves, and Marenco scored on a base hit by Taylor Holder to give the Pippins an 8-1 lead.

In his last inning of work, Cammarata gave up two more runs to the Nighthawks in the third inning. Dylan Bishop took over for the next four innings, giving up just one run in the fifth while striking out four. He would take credit for the win.

The Pippins added a pair of runs in the fourth inning, then send nine batters to the plate in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

Blake Dickman led off the sixth with a base hit and Taylor Holder was hit by a pitch, and Dickman would score on Connor Bane’s base hit. With one out, Corey Jarrell doubled home Holder and Bane. Jarrell finished the game 4-for-5 with two RBI and scored twice.

He was driven home by a Chaz Myers base hit with two outs as the Pippins took a 14-4 lead.

Kenny Johnson pitched the eighth inning for the Pippins, striking out one and sending the Nighthawks down in order. Seth Kuykendall finished the game, surrendering one hit but otherwise shutting down the Nighthawks to finish the game.

First pitch Thursday will be at 6:35 p.m., and the Pippins will take Friday off before welcoming in the Cascade League All-Stars Saturday-Sunday.

By Chris Rosato Jr.

June 17, 2021