Pippins Open 2015 With Win over Klamath Falls

For the second straight season, the Pippins came out victorious on the West Coast League's opening night, knocking off the Klamath Falls Gems in front of a great opening-night crowd in The Orchard at State Fair Park.

The Pippins worked a double steal in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead and added two more in the third on a Gems error and an infield single by Tyler Friis.

After the Gems put up a run in the fourth, Jace Van De Brake and the Pippins countered right back with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Yakima Valley (1-0) added two runs in the eighth to seal off the win over the Gems (0-1).

On the mound, Josh Nashed got the start and delivered a nice start for the Pippins. He went 5 innings, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run, while walking 2 and striking out 4 to pick up the win. The trio of Alhanon Miller, Kelly Fitzpatrick and Wyatt Mills worked the final four innings to help the Pippins hold off the Gems late.

Opening night had a strong Gonzaga flavor to it for Yakima Valley, as all three of the Bulldogs’ representatives made big contributions to the cause. Branson Trube went 0-1 with four of the Pippins’ franchise-high tying 12 walks, Van De Brake was 2-4 with an RBI and a walk, and Mills worked two scoreless innings to finish the game and pick up the save.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday at 7:05 pm. Mitch Yada is slated to take the mound for the Pippins opposite Spencer Johnson of Klamath Falls. The Pippins won both of their series against Klamath Falls last season and will look to close out another three-game set with the Gems on Saturday.

Listen in on 1460 ESPN starting at 6:55.