The VIBI Mariners are willing to play whenever they can.
Nanaimo’s college baseball team proved that last week in Ontario, Ore., as it played an all-nighter against Southwest Oregon College on March 9. First pitch came at 1:30 a.m.
“College baseball’s about being flexible and being ready to go,” said Jordan Blundell, manager of Vancouver Island Baseball Institute. “We said if the umpires are willing to do it, we’re willing to do it. Let’s do it.”
The team had travelled a long way to play ball, so with bad weather forecast for the morning, the M’s decided to make sure they got their innings in.
The Mariners started the game energetically, but tired in their fourth game of the day and eventually lost 6-5.
“You’re definitely tired and it gets to be a grind, but that’s why we play, right? We love it,” said Dallas Monk, VIBI infielder.
Blundell said the road trip showed his team’s toughness and helped with team building.
“It’s cool. It’s a life story, for sure,” the manager said. “That’s what makes college baseball college baseball.”
For more on the VIBI Mariners, please pick up the next issue of the News Bulletin.
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