The Yakima Valley Pippins, off to a fast start, continued to accelerate atop the North Division of the West Coast League.
The Pippins moved to 6-1 on the season with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Victoria HarbourCats at Yakima County Stadium.
Yakima Valley pounced on Victoria starter Aaron Celestino with three runs in the first inning. Celestino finished with eight hits and four runs allowed over five innings.
Pippins starter Joey Magrisi from Cal State-Fullerton, coming off his WCL pitcher of the week honours, allowed Victoria four hits and two runs with six strikeouts over four innings. Mark Woinarowicz took the win by blanking Victoria, with only one hit allowed, over the final five innings.
Frankie Niemann from Tulane University and Emilio Nogales led the HarbourCats offence with doubles.
Victoria closes out tonight in Yakima Valley before beginning a three-game set Friday night in Kelowna against the Falcons (1-5).
The HarbourCats return home for a three-game set beginning Monday against the Bend Elks at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
