There’s no place like home for the Vancouver Island Baseball Institute Mariners.
The M’s took three-of-four Canadian College Baseball Conference games against the Calgary Dinos at Serauxmen Stadium over the week, posting a 4-3 win Friday splitting Saturday with a 3-2 loss in the early game, winning the second tilt 9-6, and winning 5-2 on Sunday.
Jordan Blundell, VIBI manager, said it’s tough to do any more when playing the same team four times in a row.
“It’s hard to find anything negative about a three-win weekend,” he said. “It’s part of our practise routine for everybody to be a factor and we had multiple guys contribute to the success.”
Blundell praised the Dinos, noting that had a few things gone different, it could have been the opposition taking the close games from the Mariners.
“It’s an experienced baseball program and they do things the right way,” he said.
Matthew Davis was the winning pitcher in Friday’s game and Connor Russell earned the save. Cody Phipps went two-for-three with three runs scored while Evan Olsen and Spencer Imeson each hit two-for-four.
Calgary scored the winning run in the final inning of game one Saturday with Jon Przybl taking the loss. Taylor MacDonnell pitched six innings, striking out four.
Matt Zupanc batted three-for-four and scored two runs in game two Saturday and Aaron Tyacke was two-for-four with a run scored.
Mike Freestone picked up the win and Reiley Grose earned the save and striking out three Calgary batters. Adam Paulencu pitched a complete game for the Mariners in Sunday’s win, striking out four.
Blundell said the M’s pitching staff is proving to be the team’s strength.
“We have a lot of guys capable of getting outs and we will be looking for more of the same,” he said. “They’re good guys who work hard and understand baseball is about pitching and defence in a wood bat league.”
Next up for VIBI is the Lethbridge Prairie Baseball Academy this weekend (April 16-17) at Serauxmen Stadium.
“They’re a lot like Calgary with a couple of good pitchers, some speed at the top of the lineup and some good defensive players in the infield. We match up well,” said Blundell.
Game times are 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.
