Raptors hang tough in 4-3 loss in franchise opener

RIDGEFIELD – A first game didn’t result in a first win, but the Ridgefield Raptors still received a hearty ovation.

A crowd of about 2,200 saluted the Raptors after the franchise’s first game Tuesday, a 4-3 loss to Yakima Valley at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

“It was nice to see how Ridgefield came out tonight,” said starting pitcher Michael Spellacy. “Being in the West Coast League two years already, this being my third, this was probably the biggest crowd I’ve seen.”

Spellacy threw six solid innings, striking out eight and walking two. The Gonzaga junior-to-be played two years at Battle Ground High until moving to Puyallup.

“It’s cool to be back here for the summer,” he said. “Being familiar with the area, it’s cool to see what Ridgefield is doing and the baseball atmosphere that’s coming around.”

Dominic Enbody tied the game 3-3 in the sixth with the first home run in Raptors history. The lefty hit a high drive that carried onto the berm over the right field fence, a tempting target in the hitter-friendly park that’s 310 feet down the line.

“A lot of guys are just trying to put good swings on ball and let the park do its thing,” he said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this summer.”

Yakima Valley scored the winning run on Daniel Cipriano’s RBI double in the eighth inning.

Three Key Moments

Double thievery – The first run in Raptors franchise history came on a double steal in the bottom of the third. Jonny Weaver stole second as Grayson Sterling broke toward home to score from third, giving Ridgefield a 1-0 lead. Sterling had previously collected the first hit in Raptors history, a one-out single to left-center.

Sour fifth inning – The Pippins finally got to Spellacy, who entered in the fifth having retired 11 of the previous 12 hitters he faced. With runners on first and second, Yakima Valley tied the game 1-1 on a single by Tommy Davis. An RBI groundout and an RBI ground-rule double by Zack Lew gave the Pippins a 3-1 lead.

Game winner – Daniel Cipriano drove in the game-winning run with a double in the eighth inning and the Pippins put two runners on with no out. He won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Triple Crown at Montana State-Billings this spring.

Three Key Players

Dominic Enbody – The junior-to-be, who led Concordia with a .367 average this spring, hit the first home run in Raptors history. His solo shot with two out in the sixth carried over the right field fence and tied the game 3-3.

Michael Spellacy – The Gonzaga junior-to-be pitched six solid innings as the first starting pitcher in Raptors history. Spellacy struck out eight, walked none and allowed five hits.

Grayson Sterling – The Gonzaga sophomore-to-be had the first hit and first run in Raptors history. He finished the night 2 for 4.

Three Key Numbers

Two – The number of strikeouts recorded by Spencer Andersen, who came on in relief of Spellacy. Andersen recently finished his senior season for Ridgefield High and will play next year for Lower Columbia College. He retired the side in order in the seventh.

Zero – Yakima Valley pitchers showed excellent control, allowing zero walks on Friday. Because of that, Ridgefield only had eight baserunners all game.

Nine – The number of Yakima Valley runners stranded by Ridgefield pitchers. That included leaving the bases loaded in the eighth and two runners on in the first.

YAKIMA VALLEY 4, RIDGEFIELD 3

Yakima 000 030 010 – 4 9 1

Ridgefield 001 011 000 – 3 8 1

Yakima Valley

Pitching – Dylan Barkley 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 K, 0 BB; Mark Woinarowicz 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB, W; Joe Magrisi 1 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 0 BB, S. Offensive highlights – Tyler Pittman 3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI; Zack Lew 1-3, 2B, 1 RBI; Daniel Cipriano 2-4, 2B, 1 RBI; Scott Youngbrandt 1-3, 2B; SB; Riley Gill 1-4; Tommy Davis 1-4, R.

Ridgefield

Pitching – Michael Spellacy 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 8 K, 2 BB; Spencer Andersen 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 1 BB, L; Ethan Clough 2 IP, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB. Offensive highlights – Jonny Weaver 1-4, SB; Dominic Enbody 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, HR; Cameron Repetti 2-4, 1 R; Michael Yourg 1-4; Grayson Sterling 2-4, 1 R, SB; Wyatt Hoffman 1-3, 1 RBI.