The Trail Orioles got the same timely hits and solid pitching but cut down on costly errors to pull out a 6-5 win over the San Diego Stars on Tuesday night.
The win gave the hometown team a split after falling 7-5 in the opening game of the two-match series.
The touring San Diego team provided a good gauge for the Orioles, which has its sights set on qualifying for the Western Canadian championships in Manitoba in August.
On Tuesday, in front of another big crowd and warm summer evening at Butler Park, the Orioles were powered by clutch hits highlighted by two two-out RBI singles from Josh Mace and a two-out RBI single by Darrin Kissock.
Trail overcame a 5-3 deficit in the bottom of the sixth when Jeff Sidey and Connor Jones scored on Jim Maniago’s double. The bases eventually loaded for Brady Glover who came through with an RBI single through the infield.
Kellen Jones threw six solid innings and earned the win. Kissock came on for three innings and close out the game with two strikeouts coming on to save the game, including two strikeouts to close out the ninth with the tying run on third.
“They were fun games against a pretty good team,” said Orioles manager Jim Maniago.
“Getting the win (Tuesday) night hopefully gets the monkey off our back and we can build some confidence.
“We can play with anyone but the difference between winning and losing is so small. We play in so many tight games that we have to be able to relax and have confidence that we can execute and do what it takes to win.”
The Orioles now focus on the Vernon Diamondbacks who come to Trail for three games – Saturday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Trail needs just one win to take the best-of-five series and qualify for the Westerns set for Winnipeg Aug. 23 to 27.
Should the team be packing for Manitoba, it still has one final PIL series on July 21 when the Seattle Studs come to Butler Park.
