The Whalley Chiefs lost two of three games last week. But the one victory was enough to achieve the goal of qualifying for the B.C. Premier Baseball League playoffs.
After an 8-5 win over the North Delta Blue Jays at home Thursday night (July 9), and two losses to the Langley Blaze Sunday in Langley, the Chiefs finished last weekend with a 20-20 win-loss record. Assured of a top-eight finish in the 18-and-under league, the Chiefs are the sixth team to clinch a playoff position.
A six-run second inning lifted Whalley to the win over the Blue Jays. After North Delta scored three times in the top half of the inning to opened the scoring, Whalley scored a half dozen times on four hits, a wild pitch and a pair of walks. Lichel Hirakawa-Kao had the inning’s big hit, a two-run double which tied the game.
Ryan Kaplanis was three-for-four with two runs scored, with Max Williams hitting a pair of singles and scoring once.
Isaac Greer was the winning pitcher, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks in five innings pitched. He had five strikeouts.
The Chiefs had 11 hits but scored just three runs in the first-game loss to Langley Saturday. Lucas Soper and Kaplanis had two hits each for Whalley.
In the second game, Langley held a 7-4 edge in hits. The Blaze led 4-0 after three innings, and hung on for the win.
Spencer Gatzke, called up from the Junior league, drove in all three Chiefs runs in the fourth inning with a bases-loaded double.
Whalley has four games remaining in their regular season schedule.
The were to play the North Shore Twins yesterday (Thursday) in North Vancouver, then are scheduled to host the league leaders for two games in Whalley Sunday starting at noon.
Their final game is at home Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the Coquitlam Reds at Whalley Stadium.
