Bells edge AppleSox 1-0 in 11-inning pitchers duel

BELLINGHAM - In a tense extra-inning battle, the Bellingham Bells edged out the Wenatchee AppleSox 1-0 on Friday night at Joe Martin Field. The game remained scoreless through regulation, finally breaking open in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Logan Degroot delivered the decisive blow for the Bells, lacing an opposite-field single to drive in the game's lone run. The hit came after four consecutive Bellingham batters reached base to start the frame.

Max Hartman continued his hot streak for the AppleSox, going 3-for-5 on the night. It marked Hartman's ninth multi-hit game of the season and his third three-hit performance. The outfielder has been on a tear, batting .434 over his last five games with four multi-hit outings during that span.

On the mound, Evan Canfield put in a strong showing for the AppleSox, tossing at least five innings for the fourth consecutive start. The right-hander struck out five, bringing his career total with Wenatchee to 100 - good for third-most in franchise history. Canfield's 31 strikeouts this summer leave him just two shy of surpassing his 2022 total with the team.

Stephen Hammergren (2-1) took the loss for Wenatchee despite a valiant effort in relief. The pitcher allowed only one hit over four innings but was ultimately charged with the deciding run. Hammergren navigated out of a bases-loaded jam in the 10th before surrendering the leadoff walk in the 11th that would prove costly.

Wenatchee is a game ahead of Bellingham and a game-and-a-half back of idle Edmonton, who hosts Port Angeles Saturday night. An AppleSox win and a Riverhawks loss would clinch the North Division first-half title for Wenatchee. If the AppleSox lose Saturday, then they must win on Sunday afternoon to earn the first half title.