The North Island Royals endured three tough losses but finished with a win at the AAA bantam provincial baseball championships in Parksville. They lost to Victoria, White Rock and North Shore before facing a tough Chilliwack Cougars team which had a chance to make playoffs with a win over the Royals.
Ellis Vugteveen was the starting pitcher and was sharp for five innings. Jaden Barr had a ripping double to the gap with the bases loaded to break open a close game. The Royals kept the pressure on and Nash Donkersley came in for the save. The boys won the final game of the tourney and the season 10-5.
There was a tight sprint to the playoffs and needed two extra tie-breaker games won by Victoria and Langley. Victoria Eagles upset the first place Coquitlam Reds 11-8 and North Shore walked off Langley 3-2 to set up the final. The North Shore Twins were too much for the Vic Eagles, winning 8-1. They earned a trip to Prince Edward Island for nationals, and the Eagles earned a berth later this month for the Western Canadians in Kamloops.
