PORTLAND – After a rough night at the ballpark like the Ridgefield Raptors had Tuesday, veteran catcher Isaac Lovings had some simple advice to his younger teammates.
“Just flush it,” said Lovings after an 11-1 loss to the Portland Pickles at Walker Stadium.
“Things like this are going to happen in baseball,” added Lovings, a senior at Pacific University. “Maybe take some key things to work on for next time, but in the end just flush it. There’s no good in dwelling on it.”
Not a lot went right for Ridgefield in the first game of a three-game series in Portland. The Raptors were held to three hits and fell to 1-3 on their current six-game road trip.
Four Pickles pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed just five Ridgefield runners to reach scoring position.
Lovings said sticking with an approach at the plate is important even when the hits are few and far between.
“Especially in a game like this, every baserunner is important,” Lovings said. “Find a way to draw a walk or get something through.”
Three moments
Hustle points – Portland scored three runs in the first inning thanks to the speed of Nick Markantanatos. With two outs, he beat out a routine grounder to shortstop allowing Naighel Calderon to score. Two hitters later, Cameron Dayton belted a two-run double.
Briny breakaway – The Pickles broke the game open with three runs in the sixth to take an 8-0 lead. Andrew McKenna led off with a double. Jackson Waller then singled to start the rally.
Best shot – Trailing 4-0, Ridgefield’s top chance to make a game of it came in the fifth inning. Jeff Hoffman and Jack Salmon reached on two-out singles, but Jake Tsukada’s drive into left-center was tracked down on Kyler Stancato’s running catch.
Three players
Trent Prokes – The Raptors outfielder singled in the eighth inning to drive in Jake Tsukada. Last year’s WCL batting champ has hit safely in six straight games and is batting .357.
Dylan Chalmers – The Portland starter set the tone by shutting down Ridgefield’s bats in the first five innings. The Western Oregon sophomore didn’t allow a hit until the fifth, striking out five and walking two.
Zach Hauser – The Battle Ground High grad who pitches for Clark College threw two innings of relief. After walking two in the seventh, he got out of the jam by striking out Jack Salmon. He allowed one run, one hit, three walks and struck out two.
Three numbers
21 – Errors by Ridgefield this season. After two more Tuesday, the Raptors have the second most in the league.
4 – Portland runners left on base in the first six innings compared to eight who scored.
7 – Innings in which Portland had its leadoff hitter reach base.
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