Wednesday,  December 11 , 2024

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Photo of Will Denner

Stories by Will Denner

Columbian staff writer

Ridgefield Raptors stand for the national anthem at an exhibition game against the Cowlitz Black Bears, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Raptors home field.

Ridgefield Raptors hold on for 3-2 win over Bend Elks

Ridgefield Raptors stand for the national anthem at an exhibition game against the Cowlitz Black Bears, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Raptors home field.

June 26, 2024, 10:42pm Clark County Sports

Chalk this win up to the Ridgefield Raptors’ pitching staff. One night after giving up 10 late runs to the Bend Elks, the Raptors were in danger of suffering another letdown Wednesday when the Elks cut into their 3-0 lead in the eighth. Damian Pantoya faced a tall… Read story

Ridgefield Raptors exhibition game against the Cowlitz Black Bears, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Raptors home field.

Ridgefield Raptors squander strong pitching in 10-4 defeat against Bend Elks

Ridgefield Raptors exhibition game against the Cowlitz Black Bears, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Raptors home field.

June 25, 2024, 10:30pm College

Without much production at the plate to fall back on, the Ridgefield Raptors’ margin for error has often felt slim during the opening month of the 2024 season. Such was the case Tuesday when the Raptors squandered a shutdown five-inning performance from starting pitcher Dylan Stewart plus two… Read story

Ridgefield's Taylor Takata, right, celebrates with Kyle Memarian after turning a double play Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Raptors Notebook: New players mixing into lineup

Ridgefield's Taylor Takata, right, celebrates with Kyle Memarian after turning a double play Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

June 17, 2024, 6:05pm Clark County Sports

Three weeks into the 2024 season, Ridgefield Raptors coaches and front office staff are still in the process of evaluating players to determine their fit and role within the team. Read story

Ridgefield's Dasan Harris, right, steals second base from Yakima Valley's Gavin Brubaker Tuesday, June 11, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Cumulative mistakes cost Ridgefield Raptors in 10-4 loss to Yakima Valley Pippins

Ridgefield's Dasan Harris, right, steals second base from Yakima Valley's Gavin Brubaker Tuesday, June 11, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

June 12, 2024, 10:21pm Clark County Sports

The totality of five errors, uneven pitching and a quiet offense in the back half of Wednesday’s game was too much for the Ridgefield Raptors to overcome. Ridgefield head coach Chris Cota was concise in describing the 10-4 defeat to the Yakima Valley Pippins at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation… Read story

Ridgefield's Mac Elske celebrates after getting the last out in a combined no-hitter Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against the Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Three Ridgefield Raptors pitchers combine for first no-hitter in team history

Ridgefield's Mac Elske celebrates after getting the last out in a combined no-hitter Tuesday June 11, 2024, during the Raptors’ 10-0 win against the Yakima Valley Pippins at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

June 11, 2024, 11:08pm Clark County Sports

Just how rare is a no-hitter in summer collegiate baseball? Among three Ridgefield Raptors pitchers (Dylan Stewart, Curtis Hebert and Mac Elske) and catcher Justin Stransky, only one of them had experienced such a feat prior to Tuesday’s 10-0 win against the Yakima Valley Pippins, a collective effort… Read story

Raptors Notebook: Ridgefield looks for early-season consistency at plate

June 10, 2024, 8:05pm College

The sample size is now large enough to suggest the Ridgefield Raptors’ early struggles at the plate may be more than an aberration. Read story

La Center's Shaela Bradley excelled in girls soccer and track and field for the Wildcats. The senior was named The Columbian's All-Region multi-sport female athlete of the year on Wednesday night at the All-Region Awards Ceremony at Kiggins Theatre.

All-Region multi-sport female athlete of the year: Shaela Bradley, La Center

La Center's Shaela Bradley excelled in girls soccer and track and field for the Wildcats. The senior was named The Columbian's All-Region multi-sport female athlete of the year on Wednesday night at the All-Region Awards Ceremony at Kiggins Theatre.

June 8, 2024, 6:04am Latest News

Shaela Bradley imagines a time several years from now, perhaps at a La Center High School reunion when she’ll look back fondly on her athletic feats over the last four years and the friendships made along the way. Read story

Ridgefield pitcher Dylan Stewart throws the ball Friday, June 16, 2023, during the Raptors' game against Cowlitz at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Two innings sink Ridgefield Raptors in 13-4 loss to Edmonton Riverhawks

Ridgefield pitcher Dylan Stewart throws the ball Friday, June 16, 2023, during the Raptors' game against Cowlitz at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

June 4, 2024, 10:55pm College

Trouble began when the Ridgefield Raptors turned to their bullpen, and two forgettable innings later, a once-promising lead was history. Protecting a two-run lead Tuesday against the Edmonton Riverhawks after starter Dylan Stewart tossed five quality innings, Ridgefield relievers Drew Townson and Mac Elske combined to give up… Read story

Ridgefield Raptors pitcher Travis Gibson throws over to first to keep Cowlitz Black Bears runner Jackson Babione close Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Ridgefield Outdoor Athletic Complex.

Following slow start, Ridgefield Raptors regroup for 3-2 win over Edmonton Riverhawks

Ridgefield Raptors pitcher Travis Gibson throws over to first to keep Cowlitz Black Bears runner Jackson Babione close Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Ridgefield Outdoor Athletic Complex.

June 3, 2024, 10:51pm College

 Ridgefield Raptors catcher Luke Iverson believes he plays his best baseball when having fun. Likewise, the same can be said for an entire Raptors team that didn’t allow back-to-back shutout defeats to dampen their spirits. After twice being blanked by the… Read story

Raptors player Nick Holm, right, flips the ball to pitcher Charlie Royle on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, during the Raptors’ 10-6 loss to the Pickles in the first game of the WCL Divisional Series at Walker Stadium in Portland.

Ridgefield Raptors shut down by Portland Pickles in season-opening, 12-0 defeat

Raptors player Nick Holm, right, flips the ball to pitcher Charlie Royle on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, during the Raptors’ 10-6 loss to the Pickles in the first game of the WCL Divisional Series at Walker Stadium in Portland.

May 31, 2024, 11:50pm College

On opening night of the 2024 regular season, incoming Ridgefield Raptors players were welcomed to the West Coast League unceremoniously. A 12-0 loss at the hands of the Portland Pickles on Friday in front of 4,112 spectators served as a humbling moment for the… Read story