The Nanaimo Pirates started the weekend with a spark, but had to settle for a split.
The Hub City Paving Pirates (29-13) swept the Vancouver Cannons on Saturday at the Serauxmen Sports Fields but got swept the next day by the Abbotsford Cardinals at Serauxmen Stadium. Nanaimo beat Vancouver 2-1 and 11-0 and lost to Abbotsford by scores of 2-0 and 6-2.
The first game of the weekend was the best, as the Pirates rallied for the game-tying and game-winning runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Joey Sabo provided the winning RBI on a bunt. Kenton Schroter was rewarded with the victory on the mound after throwing a complete-game four-hitter, striking out eight.
That victory rally carried over into the second half of the doubleheader as the Pirates easily mercied the Cannons. Mike Williams needed to pitch only five innings for the win and gave up just two hits over that span while striking out six. Crosby Rushton led the offence with a single, a double and two RBIs and Chris Faber, Ryan Smith and Sabo also supplied two RBIs each. Brendan McCarthy went 2-for-3.
On Sunday, the Pirates couldn’t give starter Colby Morgan any run support as he threw five innings, allowing three hits while striking out six. Liam Goodall went 2-for-3.
In the late game Nick Smiley was tagged with the loss. He struck out nine over five innings.
GAME ON … Next B.C. Premier Baseball League action for the Pirates is Saturday (July 16), when the White Rock Tritons (20-22) visit Serauxmen Stadium for games at noon and 2:30 p.m. On Sunday the Pirates will head to the mainland to face the North Shore Twins (19-24).
