Nanaimo Pirates had no problem dispatching the Whalley Chiefs in a doubleheader Sunday at Nanaimo’s Serauxmen Stadium.
The home team won 8-2 and 13-3, with pitchers North Rainey and Garrett Goodall taking the wins, respectively. Rainey threw seven strikeouts in his win.
Zach Diewert and Cole Warken each contributed three RBIs in the 8-2 victory. In the second game, Shawn Arabsky logged three hits and three RBIs.
The previous weekend, the Hub City Paving Pirates won three out of five games at a tournament in the Fraser Valley.
Nanaimo started with a 1-0 shutout against the eventual-tournament-champion North Shore Twins on Thursday.
The next day, Nanaimo lost 10-6 to the Langley Blaze B team and then fell 4-1 to Okotoks. The Pirates responded Saturday with a 7-3 win over the Victoria Eagles and a 14-4 blowout against Brampton.
A difference-maker at the tournament was first baseman Matt Skingle, who hit two home runs.
“He launched a couple balls,” Rogers said. “They were bombs.”
Actually, one was an ace as it cleared the fence and travelled another 75 feet onto the tennis court beyond.
Another guy who showed well was Rainey, who threw a complete-game shutout on the first day. He struck out eight and while he gave up some walks, he was able to get out of jams.
“He had a solid outing and there were some people that were watching, some D1 scouts…” Rogers said. “I think he was touching 86 that day so it was a real positive day for him.”
GAME ON … The Pirates take on the Parksville Royals on Wednesday (June 10) at 6 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium. The next league games after that aren’t until June 20 on the road against the North Shore Twins.