Raptors get patriotic with military night Thursday, then Independence Day game

GM says this week’s games are ‘in honor of our great nation’

The Ridgefield Raptors want to thank the military and first responders on Thursday night, then they will be back at the RORC to celebrate America’s birthday on Sunday.

“It’s all in honor of our great nation,” said Gus Farah, general manager of the Raptors.

All active military, retired military, veterans, and first responders can enjoy Thursday night’s game for free, Farah said. Just bring ID to the gate, and the entertainment is on the Raptors as they take on the Bellingham Bells to wrap up their three-game series. First pitch is 6:35 p.m.

“We honor our military and first responders every single night, but it’s important we offer a special night for them, as well,” Farah said.

Instead of just getting recognized at the game, they will be guests of the Raptors. 

The Raptors will then go on an odd-two game road trip to take on the Corvallis Knights. The final game of that three-game series will be back at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, on Sunday. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m.

“If I’m a family, we’re thinking, ‘What can we do on Sunday? Not going to fireworks anymore, but I can go enjoy the game and enjoy the Fourth of July,’” Farah said.

Ticket sales are “spiking” for that game, he said.

No fireworks after the game, of course, but there should be plenty of Independence Day-themed entertainment throughout the game, he said. 

The Raptors are one of three teams in the West Coast League with a record better than .500. They sit at 12-8, in second place in the South Division, trailing the 14-5 Knights. The Knights are the four-time defending WCL champions.

The Raptors and Bells have split the first two games of their series. On Wednesday, the Raptors picked up a 15-10 victory. The Raptors completed a rarity in the game, scoring at least one run in every inning. 

Clark County’s own Grant Heiser, from Camas, hit a home run and drove in five runs. Tafton Hensley hit a homer and drove in three runs. 

Caden Connor is now second in the West Coast League with 23 RBIs. Coby Morales is right behind with 20 RBIs. Morales is also third in the league in average at .378 and is tied for second in the league with 18 runs scores.

Nick Nygard, a Columbia River High School graduate, is third in the league with a 1.69 ERA in seven appearances. He has 25 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.