The former Borderite gets the win in just his second professional tournament
Illig leads Bellingham with 6 home runs on the year and is hitting .330 in 26 games. He joins four other Bells at the WCL All Star Game.
The former Trojan football star graduated from Meridian in 2014. He earned Sophomore All-America honors in 2016 when he was chosen as a second team All-Big Sky Conference selection.
Taylor Stafford and Austin Bragg combined for 37 to pace Bellingham in the victory.
A Chase Illig home run started the festivities in the bottom of the first, as he scored Austin Pinorini, who reached on a walk two batters earlier.
Danny Valencia and Kyle Seager also homered for the Mariners, who are one game below .500.
Forward Clint Dempsey, midfielder Michael Bradley and goalkeeper Tim Howard are among six additions to the U.S. roster.
The Slam won’t have much time to dwell on the loss as they return to action at the Seattle Pro-Am at Noon on Sunday against Team Ball is Life.
Breanna Stewart scored 24 points and Crystal Langhorne added 20, making all nine of her shots, to help the Seattle Storm beat the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night.
The Bells took an early lead in the game on an Austin Shenton sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. Ernie Yake had an infield single to start the game, and was moved to third on a Kody Matthews double.
