The Nanaimo Coal Miners still need to score a few more runs, and limit their runs against, as they prepare for the final stretch of baseball season.
The city’s senior men’s baseball team won one of four games in Pacific International League action on the weekend. The Cross & Co. Coal Miners were swept by the Langley Blaze 8-4 and 6-1 on Saturday at Serauxmen Stadium, then defeated the Coquitlam Angels 3-2 before losing the finale 10-4 on Sunday, also at the stadium.
The first game was highlighted by a home run, as Greg Wallace went yard and also hit a single as part of a three-RBI effort. Jeff Vickers was 3-for-3 in the loss and Joey Benda suffered the loss on the hill.
The second game Darren Kolk was the pitcher of record and he and Donny MacQuarrie were both 1-of-2 at the plate.
In the win over the Angels, Bill Hadden threw a complete game, striking out six batters. Ben Cairns had a double and two RBIs and Charlie Strandlund and Vickers also hit doubles.
The last game of the weekend saw the Miners do some good things at the plate, as Vickers hit a pair of doubles, Kolk singled and doubled and Strandlund also had two hits. Mike Jones took the loss on the mound.
GAME ON … The Coal Miners were slated to visit the Victoria Mavericks this coming weekend, but the Mavs have indicated they need to cancel the games. That team will visit Serauxmen Stadium July 28 for the final games of the PIL season. After that the Coal Miners will be participating in Baseball B.C.’s senior men’s provincial championships in Prince George from Aug. 3-5.