It was a tough home stand for Parksville’s first year Junior Royals on the weekend, as they were roughed up by the Okanagan Athletics in BC Junior Premier Baseball League action, but the local boys are alright says their coach, as they continue to improve with every outing.
“We got hammered on the scoreboard but we didn’t play all that bad,” said coach Bruce Biro, a former senior Royal now giving back to the club, surmised easily on Sunday, adding, “a couple of the kids played really well. Lots of positives to take out of it … always a learning experience.”
In Saturday’s double dip the Royals battled hard but lost the opener, 9-5, in extra innings then gave up a 14-2 final in game two, and on Sunday they were blasted 21-0, 13-5.
The Jr. Royals, who are making their return to the high performance, 13-team BCJPBL after a year away, won their regular season opener in thrilling fashion but have dropped seven straight since.
“They’re a really young team,” said the dedicated young coach, pointing out, “for a lot of these kids, they’ve never played at this level before, but they’re starting to click … the score wasn’t really indicative of how we played.”
Earning props from their coach was pitcher/center fielder Nick Annau for his efforts on the hill game on Saturday. Annau also leads the team in hitting.
“He pitched really well, and our reliever Blake Heemskerk also came in and pitched really well.”
Also earning mentions were Eric Nigut who pitched two solid innings of relief in game one on Sunday and went 3-for-4 at the plate in game two; and Sam Bisona who went 2-for-4 in game two Sunday “and had a solid glove at third base.”
“They’re great kids — very, very eager to learn,” Biro said, then echoed what a lot of people close to the team are saying; “their enthusiasm is through the roof.”
GAME ON
The Jr. Royals are home for back-to-back BCJPBL double headers this weekend.
On Saturday they host the North Shore Twins, and Sunday has them back up at Inouye/Wallace Field against the Fraser Valley Chiefs.
First pitch both days is 12:15 p.m. There is a full concession on site and 50/50 draws.
