YAKIMA, WA - In a matchup that stacked up two of the best pitching staffs in the West Coast League to this point in the season, the Yakima Valley Pippins earned a hard-fought 3-1 win on Opening Night at The Orchard presented by Legends Casino.

Yakima native Jens Jensen (Central Washington) earned the win pitching seven innings of one run baseball, limiting the Bend Elks (2-2) to just two four hits, while striking out three.

The Pippins (4-0) would strike first in the opening inning on an RBI sac fly from Jay Schuyler(San Diego), who finished 1-2 on the night, extending his hitting streak to four games. Jensen only allowed one hit through the first four innings, an Austin Feist double that eventually scored on an RBI groundout, tying the score at one.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Pippins would rally for two runs as Zach Bonneau (Gonzaga) led off the frame with a sharp single. Nick Sablock (El Camino CC) broke the deadlock with a hit-and-run RBI single into left field, and the Pippins would add one more run on a wild pitch.

Zach Haggett (Central Washington University) pitched the final two innings of relief, striking out two batters and earning the first save of the season. Monday was another balanced hitting effort for the Pippins as Mitchell Morimoto (3 hits), Bonneau and Sablock all posted multi-hit efforts.

The Yakima Valley Pippins return to action Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Northwest Honkers, a non-league matchup at Yakima County Stadium. Fans can listen to all the action live on 1460 ESPN Yakima starting at 6:50 p.m.

More From 1460 ESPN