Raptors shake off mini-slump in 5-2 win over Cowlitz

RIDGEFIELD – A back-to-basics approach paid off for the Ridgefield Raptors and Isaac Lovings.

The catcher spent Thursday morning in the batting cage working to improve his approach to hitting fastballs.

When he got one in the fourth inning, Lovings didn’t miss. He launched a two-run homer, helping Ridgefield snap a two-game funk with a 5-2 win over the Cowlitz Black Bears at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

“I got in the box and it just worked out,” Lovings said. “I saw it, recognized it and the thinking went off.”

Loving’s blast, his second home run in five games with Ridgefield, put the Raptors ahead 4-1. That was more than enough offense to support the pitching of Jaren Hunter and Nick Nygard, who combined to strike out 12 Cowlitz hitters.

Ridgefield entered Thursday having just six base hits in the prior two games against Cowlitz. But a two-run third inning, keyed by back-to-back well-placed bunts, changed the mood in the dugout.

“It turned the momentum our way a bit,” Lovings said. “Little things like bunts, guys throwing first-pitch strikes and double plays are key.”

With six games left, Ridgefield (24-18, 11-7 second half) entered Thursday tied with the Portland Pickles for the second-best overall record in the South Division. Whoever wins that race will get the division’s second postseason berth, as long as first-half champ Corvallis doesn’t blow its three-game lead atop the second-half standings.

Ridgefield now enters a three-game set against Corvallis with its confidence back.

“After the last two games it felt really good to see some runs up on the board,” Lovings said. “It was a good feeling to come through with runners on.”

Three moments

Letting off steam – Ridgefield’s frustration nearly boiled over in the top of the third. Jacob Stinson’s two-out triple drove in Brock Bozett, who Ridgefield thought should have been out at second while advancing on an error. The Raptors dugout continued to argue, leading home plate umpire Mike Carr to issue a warning.

Small-ball startup – Ridgefield jump-started its offense by doing the little things in the third inning. Doyle Kane’s leadoff single was followed by Kody Darcy’s bunt single. Brooks Dyer then laid down a sacrifice bunt that he nearly beat out for a hit. That set the table for Caden Connor’s two-RBI double to give Ridgefield a 2-1 lead.

Unfazed – In the seventh, Cowlitz pulled within 4-2 when Jacob Burley scored from second on a two-out infield single by Matty Fung. The Black Bears then loaded the bases against Nick Nygard. But the Raptors reliever struck out power hitter Jacob Stinson to escape the jam.

Three players

Jaren Hunter – The Raptors starter improved to 4-0 by keeping Cowlitz in check for six innings. Hunter, of Oregon State, allowed six hits, one walk and an unearned run, lowering his ERA to 1.98. Cowlitz had runners on in five innings, but Hunter stranded five runners in scoring position.

Kelly Austin – The Cowlitz starter also entered Thursday with a 3-0 record. The UCLA pitcher was solid, striking out 11 over six innings, walking one and allowing five hits. But key hits by Connor and Lovings set him up for the loss.

Nick Nygard – The Raptors reliever pitched the final three innings. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh allowing just one run, the shut down the Black Bears. Nygard struck out seven, including six batters in a row.

Three numbers

17 – Minutes the game was delayed in the eighth inning while the umpire crew made a phone call seeking a “rule interpretation.” In the end, a Cowlitz reliever wasn’t allowed to pitch because he wasn’t on the lineup card exchanged by coaches before the game.

19 – Doubles this season for Caden Connor, the most in the West Coast League.

6 for 60 – How Ridgefield hitters fared in the first two games of the series.

RIDGEFIELD 5, COWLITZ 2

Cowlitz 001 000 100—2 9 2

Ridgefield 002 200 10x—5 6 2

Cowlitz

Pitching – Kelly Austin 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 11 K, 1 BB; Sawyer Parkin 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 0 K, 0 BB; Liam Hatakenaka 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB; Phillip Roe 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB; Keegan Wright 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 1 BB. Highlights – Rikuu Nishida 1-4; Matty Fung 1-2, RBI; Jacob Stinson 2-3, RBI, 3B; Broc Mortensen 1-4; Jaden Sheppard 1-4; Jacob Burley 1-4, R.

Ridgefield

Pitching – Jaren Hunter 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 1 BB; Nick Nygard 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB. Highlights – Caden Connor 1-4, 2 RBI, 2B; Wade Meckler 1-4, RBI; John Peck 1-4; Isaac Lovings 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR; Doyle Kane 1-3, R; Kody Darcy 1-3, 2 R.