Spending his summer in the Okanagan turned to be a pretty good decision for Justin Flores.
For the West Coast League’s Kelowna Falcons, the feeling is mutual.
Flores, a junior from Fresno, CA, set a new team record for RBIs and tied the club high for home runs in the Falcons’ win Wednesday night over the Wenatchee Apple Sox.
In addition, the 12-8 victory tied a Falcons’ franchise record for wins in a season (28), equalling the standard set during the 2012 campaign.
Flores finished the night with three RBIs against the Apple Sox to push his season total to a team record 36.
He also smashed a two-run home run, his seventh of the summer, to equal the club high for round-trippers in one WCL season.
“It was just a great night for the offensive part, I beat the franchise record for RBIs but I couldn’t do it without my teammates,” said Flores, who attends Cal State U Monterrey Bay.
The Falcons will be looking to set the new club record for victories on Thursday night as they close out a three-game series with the Apple Sox at Elks Stadium.
Falcons GM Mark Nonis said every aspect of the 2015 season has been a pleasant surprise.
“(The record) just shows how good this team is, the synergy the guys have with each other,” Nonis said. “(Coach) Bill (Clontz) has done a great job in leading the team and bringing them together.
“The talent is exceptional, the guy have stepped up, they’re exciting to watch…it’s been better than expected.”
As far as tying the franchise record for victories, Flores said the Falcons’ players owed it to the fans who have been so supportive all season long.
“The fans have been awesome to us, and we got the win for the fans,” Flores added. “It’s just a great team…I wouldn’t ask for a better team to be a part of. It’s a great team win, and I love being here for Kelowna, I love playing for Kelowna as well.”
The Falcons will be on the road this weekend when they visit the Bellingham Bells for three games. The two teams are currently battling for the second best record in the WCL and will likely meet in the first round of the post-season,
Kelowna, which is closing in on the East Division title, will return home next Tuesday when they host the Corvallis Knights in the first of a three-game set. First pitch is 6:35 p.m.
