Home runs help Coal Miners win three

Nanaimo split a doubleheader against Burnaby Collegiate on Saturday at Serauxmen Stadium, winning 2-1 then losing 12-3.

Nanaimo Cross & Co. Coal Miners infielders Ben Cairns, left, and Kris Small both go for a ground ball during a Pacific International League baseball game Saturday against Burnaby Collegiate at Serauxmen Stadium. The Coal Miners split that day’s doubleheader, winning 2-1 then losing 12-3, then won a pair of road games Sunday against Victoria house league teams. This Saturday (June 23) the Coal Miners play the Burnaby Bulldogs at noon and 2:30 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium.

Nanaimo Cross & Co. Coal Miners infielders Ben Cairns, left, and Kris Small both go for a ground ball during a Pacific International League baseball game Saturday against Burnaby Collegiate at Serauxmen Stadium. The Coal Miners split that day’s doubleheader, winning 2-1 then losing 12-3, then won a pair of road games Sunday against Victoria house league teams. This Saturday (June 23) the Coal Miners play the Burnaby Bulldogs at noon and 2:30 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium.

The Nanaimo Cross & Co. Coal Miners had a winning weekend.

The senior men’s baseball team split a Pacific International League doubleheader against Burnaby Collegiate on Saturday at Serauxmen Stadium, winning 2-1 then losing 12-3. On Sunday the Miners won a pair of road games against Victoria house league teams by scores of 10-5 and 8-3.

In the first game Joey Benda threw a complete game and got offence from Matt Ney, who hit a double, and Greg Wallace, who had a single and two walks.

Inhe second game, Jeff Vickers’ home run was the highlight for the Miners.

In Sunday’s early game Dale Ballance threw a complete-game victory, striking out nine. Ben Cairns was 3-for-4 and Ney was 2-for-3.

The weekend finale saw Bill Hadden throw a complete game for the win, helping his own cause by going 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run. Ney also homered and Mike Jones was 3-for-3 with a double while playing hurt.

GAME ON … This Saturday (June 23) the Coal Miners play the Burnaby Bulldogs at noon and 2:30 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium. On Sunday Nanaimo plays a Victoria house league team, then finishes up with a game against the Victoria Mavericks all-star team.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin