The Whalley Chiefs had their season-best outing last Thursday at Mackie Park in North Delta, ending their seven-game losing streak with a 13-2 victory over the North Delta Blue Jays.
The Chiefs exploded for seven runs in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of four hits, two walks and a pair of Blue Jays errors. A double by Max Williams brought in three runs while a wild pitch and a dropped third strike allowed to other Chiefs base runners to score.
Colton Wright’s two-run single was the highlight of a three-run third inning for Whalley, and a two-run double from Jacob Robazza was the key to three more runs scoring in the fourth.
“I hope this will be a confidence-builder,” said Chiefs general manager Paul Hargreaves. “Winning, like losing, is contagious.”
The Blue Jays scored their two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Matt Gillen that scored Mike Smith and a fielder’s choice that allowed Curtis Hildebrandt to cross the plate.
In total, the Chiefs had 14 hits, four for extra bases, against five North Delta pitchers.
Thomas Espig was the winning pitcher for Whalley, throwing two innings and allowing just a walk. Espig is one of two players the Chiefs have added to their roster in the past week. He and Lichel Hirakawa-Kao transferred from the Vancouver Cannons.
The Chiefs had a double header Sunday afternoon in New Westminster against the Cannons rained out, while the Blue Jays managed to play just one of two scheduled games Saturday afternoon with the North Shore Twins.
The Twins broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the fourth inning for a 3-1 win in the only game played, the sixth straight loss for the Blue Jays. They opened with a lead-off triple to start the game, taking a 1-0 lead when the game’s second batter hit into an infield out.
Tyler hoofer tied the game for North Delta in the bottom of the first inning when he scored from second on a double from Kevin Sengara.
North Delta, now at 1-7 (won-lost) will visit the 13-1 Langley Blaze tonight (Tuesday) at Langley’s McLeod Park, while the 2-7 Chiefs are on the road at Delair Park to face the 8-5 Abbotsford Cardinals.
