Raptors set single-game record for runs in rout of Walla Walla

RIDGEFIELD – The Ridgefield Raptors kept pecking away.

Before long, they had an offensive performance that ranks at the top of the pecking order in team history.

The Raptors set a single-game franchise record for runs in a 23-12 win over the Walla Walla Sweets on Sunday at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Ridgefield’s 13 runs in the fourth are also the most in a single inning for the third-year franchise. Ridgefield sent 16 batters to the plate – Nine collected base hits and four walked.

In the span of three outs, a 6-1 deficit turned into a decisive lead as the Raptors took two of three games in their West Coast League season-opening series.

Riley McCarthy, a University of Portland freshman and Mountain View High grad, went 4 for 5 with four runs scored and two RBI.

“This team can really hit,” McCarthy said. “This yard is kind of a boom box. There’s a lot of belief always that we can score a lot of runs.”

Ridgefield led the West Coast League last season with 42 home runs in 48 games. With four home runs Sunday, the Raptors already have seven this season.

“It’s a great group of guys,” McCarthy said. “You’re always unsure how it’s going to be with guys who haven’t met each other and who are coming from all over the West Coast and across the country. It’s a really fun atmosphere.”

Three moments

Fleet-footed and fired up – Having had reconstructive surgeries on both knees, Will Chambers isn’t the fastest Raptor. But he had enough speed to score from first base on a two-out double by Safea Mauai, giving Ridgefield its first lead at 8-6 in the fourth. After sliding head-first into home, Chambers slowly raised both hands, palm-up, toward the sky to fire up the crowd.

Piling on – Ridgefield’s bats stayed hot beyond the fourth inning. Jacob Sharp led off the sixth with a home run, his second in WCL play to go along with two homers in a exhibition opener last Wednesday against Cowlitz. That ignited a four-run inning in which Stephen Espinoza also added a three-run homer.

Hold the onions – The Sweets had already scored twice and had the bases loaded in the top of the second. Harrison Howell came on in relief and got a flyout to end the inning. That kept Ridgefield within 2-1 despite starter Andy Evans hitting three batters, walking two and allowing two singles.

Three players

Mikey Kane – The shortstop from USC continued his hot start for the Raptors. He blasted a three-run homer in the fourth, going 2 for 5 with four RBI. Kane is hitting .444 with seven RBI and eight runs scored in three games.

Will Chambers – After leading the West Coast League in home runs last season, the Raptors cleanup hitter has picked up where he left off. Chambers slugged his second home run, a 411-foot blast to left center, to lead off the fifth inning.

Trent Prokes – The Raptors outfielder did what a leadoff hitter is supposed to – get on base. He went 4 for 5, driving in five runs and scoring three and is hitting .667 on the season.

Three numbers

51 – Runs for Ridgefield in the first three games, the most in the WCL.

37 – Pitches in the bottom of the fourth before Ridgefield recorded an out.

11 – Baserunners for Walla Walla in the first three innings despite having just four base hits.

RAPTORS 23, SWEETS 12

W.Walla 023 102 310–12 12 1

Ridgefield 100 (13)44 10x—23 20 1

Walla Walla

Pitching – Jace Hanson 3 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 K, 4 BB; Kolby Solomon 1 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 0 K, 2 BB; H. Thompson 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 1 BB; Braden Stauffer 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 2 BB; Garrett Runyan 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K. Highlights – Michael Rollauer 1-5, R; Leo Rivera 2-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR; Garrett Runyan 2-6, R; Will Fuenning 3-4, 2 R; Cooper Cross 1-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR; Jacob Marquez 1-2, R, 3 RBI; Mason Masterson 2-4.

Ridgefield

Pitching –  Andy Evans 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 2 BB; Harrison Howell 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 K, 1 BB; Jacob Kokeny 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB; Chandler De Jong 2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 K, 3 BB; Tyler Tilton 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 K, 2 BB; Jeter Schueman 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 3 BB. Highlights – Trent Prokes 4-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2B; Mikey Kane 2-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, HR; Jacob Sharp 1-7, 2 H, R, RBI, HR; Will Chambers 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2B; Doyle Kane 1-4, R, 2 RBI; Safea Mauai 1-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B; Riley McCarthy 4-5, 4 R, 2 RBI; Stephen Espinoza 2-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR, 2B; Nate Kirkpatrick 1-4, 3 R, RBI.