The Nanaimo Pirates won pitchers’ duels and they won with home-run heroics.
The Hub City Paving Pirates took three out of four victories on a road trip to the mainland this past weekend.
Nanaimo’s B.C. Premier Baseball League team (13-3) swept the Vancouver Cannons 2-0 and 3-2 on Saturday in New Westminster, then split with the Coquitlam Reds the next day, winning 8-0 before losing 11-4.
The highlight of the weekend was the blowout win, which saw Brady Rogers hit a grand slam home run. Brendan McCarthy also supplied offence in that game with a hit, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. Justin Clarkson threw a complete-game four-hit shutout, walking just one batter and striking out six.
The second game that day saw Alex Rogers suffer the loss on the mound. Clarkson led the offence with a double and a walk.
The previous day started with a fine pitching performance as Colby Morgan threw a complete-game two-hit shutout, striking out five Cannons. Ben Dunbar supplied two hits and Ryan Smith added a double.
In the other game the Pirates found a way to win. They only managed one hit, from Morgan, but took advantage of the opponents’ six errors. Luke Skingle threw five innings for the win.
GAME ON … The premier Pirates play their first night game of the regular season on Wednesday (May 9) against the Parksville Royals. Game time is 6 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium and admission is $3 … To read this past weekend’s article on the Pirates’ batting order, please click here.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
