Morning Star Staff
The Vernon Canadians lost 4-3 and 7-1 to the Kelowna Cubs in a B.C. Midget AAA Baseball League season-opening doubleheader Sunday at Marshall Field Diamond.
Dylan Emmons got the start in Game 1, going five innings and allowing three runs, all unearned, while striking out seven.
Kyle Ciurka pitched the final two innings, allowing one run and fanning one.
Jake O’ Quinn went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Tyler Liefke was 2-for-3 with a walk and three stolen bases.
“It was a very exciting game that came down to the last batter,” said Vernon coach Ken Liefke. “We had loaded bases and Chris Riva hit a line drive up the middle that the Kelowna pitcher somehow caught. We would have won if it got by; it was an incredible play.”
In Game 2, Brayden Damini hurled four innings, giving up three earned runs and mowing down six batters. Nathan Nesbitt allowing two runs in two innings, while Cory Anderson struck out two batters in the final inning.
Nick McCaffrey went 2-for-3, while Riva was 2-for-4.
“We made a few errors that Kelowna took advantage of but for our first taste of AAA baseball, we are very pleased with the effort the boys put in and now we will make a few adjustments and hit the field again tonight (6:00) at home against Kamloops,” said Liefke.
Al McNiven and Terry McCaffery round out the coaching staff. Terry Chudyk is the general manager. Vernon faces South Fraser Giants in a twinbill Saturday at Unwin Park in North Delta and play two Sunday versus Aldergrove Dodgers Sunday at Aldergrove Athletic Park.
