The West Urban Developments North Island Cubs claimed another 3-out-of-4 wins this past weekend.
The local 18U AAA baseball team, in its inaugural season, continued to impress with three straight wins over the Victoria Eagles.
Saturday’s doubleheader was played against the Eagles at Bill Moore Park in Courtenay. Game 1 was an exciting and close battle, which ended in a 6-5 win for the Cubs. Robert Gurney was given the start on the mound, striking out two and issuing no walks through three innings, while veteran Brad Teasdale was brought in for the next three, striking out two as well with two walks. Jayden Smith closed out the game in the 7th with two strikeouts and a pair of walks.
Dayton Ring led the offense, going 2-for-2 with a double and a single, while Nico Matheson and Teasdale each doubled, collecting an RBI each. Singles went to Riley Sutherland, Logan Campbell, Ethan Taylor, Curtis Owens and Robert Gurney.
The Cubs won it in style in the bottom of the 7th. Down by a run, Ring doubled and then Brayden McClary drew a walk. Teasdale’s double drove Ring in to tie the game with McClary now on 3rd. The next batter, Sutherland, was intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing Campbell to the plate. After taking the first pitch, he then placed the perfect bunt down the first base line, scoring McClary on a squeeze play to walk it off in exciting fashion.
Game 2 saw newcomer Keegan Kelly get the start for the Cubs. In his first start of the season, he struck out three and walked four, setting the pace for the locals as they let their bats do the talking en route to a 13-3 win. Owens closed out the game pitching, striking out two and walking three batters. McClary hit his second homerun of the year, crushing the Victoria pitcher’s offering over the right-center field fence in the 6th. Taylor was 2-for-3 with a double and a single, Robert Gurney was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, Smith and Teasdale were 2-for-2 with two singles each, Ring and Sutherland each had a double, while singles went to Tyler Downey, Austin Gurney and Owens.
The Cubs hit the road on Sunday to play a pair of games in Chemainus. Game 1 was against the same Victoria team, and once again the North Island team defeated them by a score of 5-2. Starting pitcher Matheson threw 6 innings, striking out 6 with 4 walks. McClary and Taylor were both 2 for 3 with a pair of singles each. Singles went to Teasdale, Sutherland, Smith, Campbell and Austin & Robert Gurney.
Game 2 on Sunday was a much anticipated meeting between the Cubs and the Cowichan Mustangs. In a classic pitcher’s duel, the game was a low scoring affair, seeing both teams’ starting pitchers throw complete games. Cubs’ pitcher Dayton Ring had 3 strikeouts and only 2 walks through 7 innings in a 3-2 loss. Leadoff batter Austin Gurney started things off with a hard hit double into left field, going 2 for 3 while adding another single in the 6th. Ring helped his own cause, going 2 for 3 as well with a triple and a single.
The Cubs are off this weekend for the BC Minor Baseball All-star break. A total of four North Island players will be representing the Cubs at LaTrace Field in Richmond for the BC College Showcase All Star games at 12 noon and 3 p.m. Ring, McClary and Owens will suit up at 12 noon for the Grade 11 game, while Teasdale will play at 3 p.m. in the Grade 12 game. Two Grade 10 players, Austin and Robert Gurney, will also represent the Cubs this weekend at a three-day Team BC selection camp in Aldergrove.
The Cubs also have a new sponsor, Riptide Marine Pub, joining to their current group of sponsors, Story Creek Trading, Bailey Western Star Trucks, West Urban Developments and Carol Chapman at A Cut Above.
