Raptors offense comes alive in 17-2 win over Walla Walla

RIDGEFIELD – The Ridgefield Raptors wasted no time Friday ending a four-game West Coast League skid.

Ridgefield jumped to a big early lead and routed the Walla Walla Sweets 17-2 at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. The Raptors’ 17 runs tied a single-game franchise record.

John Peck homered twice in the first two innings, the second putting the Raptors up 7-0. Kody Darcy and Isaac Lovings also homered for Ridgefield.

After dropping the final four games of a recent road trip, the Raptors opened a crucial homestand as the season enters its homestretch.

With 11 games left in the season, Ridgefield (21-16, 8-5 second half) plays seven of its next eight games at home. The Raptors are in a neck-and-neck race with the Portland Pickles for the second postseason berth from the South Division.

Peck, who drove in six runs and also tripled, said it was great to be home entering a crucial part of the season.

“It was much-needed,” said Peck, who broke out of a 1 for 18 slump. “Especially for me. I had been struggling out there. But I dialed in to my game. I felt good. As a team, we’re going to build off this win.”

A strong outing from Raptors starter Jaren Hunter shut down Walla Walla (14-26, 5-11), which has lost six in a row.

Three moments

Battling back – Peck’s first at bat started with him behind in the count 0-2. But the Ridgefield shortstop fouled off three pitches, then launched a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence for a three-run home run to give the Raptors a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Twice as nice – Peck made it two homers in two innings with a two-run shot in the second. His high flyball rode the wind to right-center field for a 7-0 lead. The Pepperdine player has five home runs this summer.

Turn it – Ridgefield’s infield turned five double plays, the fourth of which ended a potential Walla Walla rally in the sixth inning.

Three players

Jaren Hunter – The Ridgefield starting pitcher won his third straight outing. The Oregon State right-hander kept the Sweets off the board until Justin Folz hit a two-run homer with one out in the sixth, ending Hunter’s night.

Kody Darcy – The Raptors third baseman joined the home run parade with a solo shot in the fourth, putting Ridgefield up 8-0. Darcy has six homers this summer, one behind Will Chambers for the team and league lead.

Caden Connor – The Ridgefield outfielder had four hits, including a three-RBI double. It was his fourth multi-hit game in the last seven West Coast League contests.

Three numbers

38 – RBIs this summer for Peck, who now leads the West Coast League.

5 – Batters to reach base before the first out in Ridgefield’s five-run first inning.

31 – Home runs this season for Ridgefield, the most in the league.

RIDGEFIELD 17, WALLA WALLA 2

Walla Walla 000 002 000—2 8 1

Ridgefield 520 100 63x—17 17 1

Walla Walla

Pitching – Cal Kirchoff 3 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 3 K, 3 BB; Noah Serna 4 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 3 K, 2 BB; Evan Harmon 1 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 3 BB. Highlights – Colin Wetterau 3-4, R; Justin Folz 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR; Matthew Clark 1-3; Nation Wood 1-3.

Ridgefield

Pitching – Pitching – Jaren Hunter 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6 K, 2 BB, W; Jett Lodes 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 K, 1 BB; Jaykob Acosta 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB. Highlights – Caden Connor 4-6, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B; Wade Meckler 2-4, 3 R, RBI, 2B; John Peck 3-5, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR, 3B; Will Chambers 1-3, R, 2Bl; Kody Darcy 3-5, 3 R 2 RBI; HR, 2B; Micah McDowell 1-4, R; Patrick Stark 1-5, R, RBI; Isaac Lovings 2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI; HR.