RIDGEFIELD — A starting pitcher all four years at Ridgefield High School, recent Spudders graduate Spencer Andersen hadn’t been in a situation such as Friday for the Ridgefield Raptors.
Now a reliever for the newest West Coast League team, he was faced with a more pressure-filled situations against the Port Angeles Lefties when Ridgefield’s six-run lead got whittled down to one in a span of eight batters.
But there’s plenty of lessons to be learned for Andersen and the Ridgefield bullpen after a 12-10 loss to the Lefties on Friday to open a three-game series at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.
“It’s pretty humbling, for sure,” he said. “Having a big lead early on, we don’t want to be lacking. I think we did a little bit in the bullpen.
Ridgefield’s dropped two straight after winning its previous six games. The series continues at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.
Ridgefield led 9-3 entering the seventh inning, but the three relievers allowed nine earned runs over the final three frames. Reliever Eli Schubert (Lower Columbia) lasted eight batters and the lead was cut to 9-8.
That’s when Andersen entered with one on and two outs, and got CJ Schauwecker to an inning-ending ground out with the bases loaded.
“It’s a little different; you never know when I’m going in,” Andersen said. “I’m always trying to stay warm up there. … I was trying to stay calm throughout and get the out.”
Michael Hicks’ (Boise State) second home run in as many days tied the game at 10-10 in the eighth, but Port Angeles took the lead for good with a two-run ninth. Eight of the Lefties’ hits came from the seventh inning on.
3 key moments
Home runs, x 3— Michael Hicks’ solo blast to right-center field that tied the game 10-10 in the eighth is the second home run in as many games for the Boise State redshirt senior and University of Portland transfer. The Raptors had a three-homer game Friday; Jonny Weaver (Grand Canyon) and Steve Ramirez (Riverside City College) also hit their second home runs of the season.
Big third inning — Before Port Angeles led 10-9 in the eighth, its last lead came in the second inning at 3-1. That’s when the Raptors took the lead by sending 10 batters to the plate, and scoring six runs.
Almost for Weaver — Jonny Weaver (Grand Canyon) was a triple short of the cycle. He homered, doubled and singled his first three at-bats and finished the game 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBI.
3 key players
Brody Barnum — The Vancouver native and Washington State outfielder made his first appearance Friday with the Raptors. He went 1 for 3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Last season, Barnum played for the Portland Pickles.
Dustin Garcia — The Arizona State outfielder, a native of Port Orchard, had two of the team’s four (three) stolen bases Friday. He also made a diving catch in shallow center field to prevent two Lefties baserunners from advancing in the third.
Ethan Clough — The Long Beach State pitcher starter earned his second win for the Raptors in his third appearance. Friday, he allowed three earned runs on three hits and struck out three. He also walked six.
3 key numbers
10 — The 10 runs Ridgefield scored Friday is a season-high, surpassing the eight runs scored in Wednesday’s 8-1 win at Portland.
3 — Port Angeles committed three errors of its four errors in the third inning when the Raptors scored six runs.
2 (broken bats) — Lead-off hitter Cameron Repetti (Cal State Fullerton) and first baseman Michael Hicks (Boise State) broke their bats hitting into groundouts.
