The Bellingham Bells finished their season one run short of reaching the West Coast League championship game, losing 1-0 to the Wenatchee Applesox in the North Division title match Wednesday, Aug. 14.
“This team competed hard,” general manager Stephanie Morrell said. “I was impressed with the resiliency of this group and proud of the team battling to the end.”
Bellingham has now lost two straight North Division championship games.
“It’s frustrating, but I think the continued trips to the postseason added some motivation to keep working hard and find a way to win,” Morrell said.
The Bells finished the regular season 35-22, second in the North Division and fourth overall in the league.
The Bells were 17-10 at home during the regular season and won two of three games in a playoff series against the Edmonton Riverhawks. In the 29 games, the Bells totaled 58,220 fans, an average of nearly 2,200 fans per game.
“We had great support from the community,” head coach Bob Ralston said. “It was great playing home games because a large crowd helped us win.”
The Joe Martin Stadium crowd also fueled several walk-off victories throughout the season. Ralston recalls the Bells scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Riverhawks 14-13 on June 2, and Roman Martin hitting a walk-off grand slam with two outs and a full count against the Kelowna Falcons on July 25.
“We had so many walk-off wins that it was incredible,” Ralston said. “There were so many big moments, which made it really fun.”
The Bells were also able to win several close games with their pitching prowess. Bellingham ranked third in several team pitching categories including runs allowed (221), hits (388) and strikeouts (423).
Josh Flaugher was the top starting pitcher, finishing the season with a 2.15 ERA and 27 strikeouts through 37.2 innings pitched. Nick Lewis was the top reliever, finishing with a 0.34 ERA, 15 strikeouts and two wins in 26.1 innings pitched.
“We were really strong on the mound,” Ralston said. “We had some top-quality pitching and our team chemistry was great because the kids wanted to succeed for each other.”
Lastly, the Bells’ success was also fueled by the return of several key players from the 2023 season, making them one of the oldest rosters in the WCL. The core of returning veterans allowed the Bells to pick up where they left off last season.
“I am incredibly proud of this team for their competition, character and dedication to giving everything they had back to the Bellingham community,” Morrell said.
Although the Bells fell short of a title, Ralston and the Bells are already looking forward to creating even more memories during the 2025 season.
“I always miss seeing the fans at the ballpark, the buzz of a summer night at Joe Martin Field and seeing ways that the Bells positively impact our community on a nightly basis,” Morrell said.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
