The Langley Blaze got the upper hand in the pennant race, but the Nanaimo Pirates have another chance to cool down B.C.’s hottest baseball team. The Blaze swept the Pirates 4-2 and 10-5 on Sunday in B.C. Premier Baseball League action in Langley.
The Pirates had chances for a better outcome, as they led both games.
“We did make mistakes defensively and it cost us and against a good team like Langley it’ll cost you every time because they’ll capitalize,” said Doug Rogers, Pirates manager.
He said his players were upset to lose the games in Langley, but said they should be aware that they were in some good ball games.
“They were what we needed at that time because we haven’t faced competition like that in a while,” he said. “We needed to see that high level so we can raise our game, too.”
In the first game at Langley, Colby Morgan suffered the loss on the mound, striking out five Blaze batters over six innings. Justin Clarkson was 3-for-3 and Griffin Andreychuk hit a single and a double.
The second game Alex Rogers threw 4 1/3 innings in defeat, giving up three earned runs. Brendan McCarthy had a single, triple and two RBIs and Ben Dunbar had a single, double and two RBIs.
The day before, the Pirates split a doubleader in Surrey against the Whalley Chiefs, winning 7-2 then losing 7-3.
Luke Skingle picked up the win on the mound. Clarkson was 4-for-4 in that game and Dunbar and McCarthy were both 2-for-3.
In the other game, Crosby Rushton took the ‘L’ on the mound and Braeden Mousseau had a hit and two walks.
GAME ON … The Pirates host the Langley Blaze on Thursday (July 19) at noon and 2:30 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium.