The Nanaimo NightOwls wrapped up the weekend by going out in the bottom of the ninth inning and winning a ball game.
The city’s West Coast League baseball team defeated the Ridgefield Raptors 4-3 on Sunday, June 12, at Serauxmen Stadium, to win the series two games to one.
The NightOwls kept the game close, tied it in the bottom of the seventh, and then plated the winning run when Isaac Kim slugged an RBI single to the wall.
Greg Frady, NightOwls coach, said his team showed grit and toughness and said that’s what close ball games tend to come down to.
“Our team found a way to win a close game,” said Frady. “There were a lot of opportunities in the game for them to blow it open, but we continued to hang in there, make plays and I’m proud of the team for finding ways to score at the end.”
Kim said he was expecting breaking balls early in the count until the pitcher bounced a curveball, then anticipated a fastball which he got.
Kim said it boosts team morale to take a series off a good team, and said he thinks more consistency is coming.
“As we get more comfortable around each other and trust each other more, I think that’s when we’ll start playing better, but things are looking really well for us right now and I like where we’re at,” he said.
Kim had two RBIs in the game, Brandon Hupé had a single and a home run and Landon Frei also had two hits. Josh Laukkanen was the winning pitcher, throwing three innings of relief and allowing one hit while striking out five.
Back from a week's holiday today, so this was my first chance to see the NightOwls playing in their Nanaimo Bars alternate jerseys. What do you think?#Nanaimo #Bars pic.twitter.com/f16gNxuZ4n
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) June 13, 2022
The win moved the NightOwls (5-6) one game out of first place in what’s been a closely contested North Division through the early part of the season.
“Every team is having their highs and their lows and no one is really getting away from each other. Everybody’s record’s kind of similar…” Frady said. “It’s too early to worry about standings, but you’re always worried about winning games.”
GAME ON … The NightOwls continue their homestand this week, playing the Kelowna Falcons Monday through Wednesday, June 13-15, then the Redmond Dudes from Friday to Sunday, June 17-19. Game times are 6:35 p.m. except the Sunday, June 19 game, which starts at 1 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit http://nanaimonightowls.com.
READ ALSO: Nanaimo NightOwls fall 7-5 in their first-ever game at Serauxmen Stadium
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