The Whalley Chiefs remain in the middle of the pack in the B.C. Premier Baseball League (BCPBL), but they made a huge statement last weekend against the league leaders.
The Chiefs faced the North Shore Twins four times in two days, winning three games to knock their opponents from first place in the PBL.
North Shore had lost just four times in 21 games over the first two months of the season, but dropped three decisions in less than 48 hours against Whalley to fall a game back of the Langley Blaze in the league standings.
The Chiefs have won seven of their last 10 games, and at 16-11 (win-loss) have moved into fifth place in the 12-team PBL, a game-and-a-half out of fourth place and home field advantage in the playoffs.
The Chiefs and Twins split their two games Saturday at Whalley Stadium, with the Chiefs winning the first game 1-0. Alex DeLuca pitched well for six innings, limiting the Twins to just two singles and a pair of walks. But reliever Flynn Ridley got the win, facing just four batters in the top of the seventh inning, retiring three of them.
Ataru Yamaguchi scored the game’s lone run in the bottom of the seventh, leading off with a double, moving to second on a single from Stephen Horner, then scoring on a sacrifice fly by Josh Marchese.
North Shore earned the split of Saturday’s two games with a 9-4 win in the second contest, scoring six times in the third inning. Nolan Weger and Jared Allemann each had a pair of hits to lead the Chiefs offense.
Sunday afternoon in North Vancouver, the Chiefs began the day by hanging on for a narrow 8-7 victory over the league leaders. Whalley baserunners crossed the plate five times in the top of the fourth inning, breaking a tied game to go ahead 7-2. The Chiefs took advantage of four walks issued by North Shore pitching in the fourth inning, and also got a two-run double from Quinton Hall. Sandy Fograssy contributed with three runs batted in.
The Chiefs again built up a huge lead in Sunday’s second game, leading 9-1 after batting in the top of the second inning. North Shore scored six times on five hits in the bottom of the fifth inning to get back into the game, sending 12 batters to the plate and leaving the bases loaded. Whalley added to more runs in the last two innings for an 11-9 win. Allemann was the leading batter, going three-for-four with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs.
The Chiefs are at home twice next Sunday, hosting the 9-19 North Delta Blue Jays for two games at Whalley Stadium. First pitch is at noon.
rick.kupchuk@surreynowleader.com
