The Nanaimo Pirates beat their neighbours and have now won four straight games.
The Hub City Paving Pirates defeated the Parksville Royals by a 10-6 score on Wednesday night at Serauxmen Stadium. The Pirates built a 10-1 lead over six innings before a shaky seventh inning.
"It was a pretty efficient win," said Doug Rogers, Pirates manager. "I was obviously happy with the outcome – not quite so happy with the finish."
Nanaimo came out swinging the bats well, built a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed. A midweek game against a beatable opponent meant it was a bullpen day, with three pitchers sharing the victory and almost every player seeing some action.
"It's a better team win. You feel better as a team, all coming together," said Matt Skingle, Pirates first baseman. "It's good to get all the pitching in, because it's always fresh arms out on the mound … and it's new. I like bullpen nights like this."
Six solid innings were enough for the Pirates to win on Wednesday, but they know that most nights in the B.C. Premier Baseball League, it will take seven innings of focus.
"You're up 10-1 and you think that three outs is just going to happen for you," said Rogers. "You've got to focus and you've got to take it like it's a 1-0 game and it's serious business. We'll do a better job in that as the year goes along."
Sam Baker earned the 'W' on the mound, throwing two innings and allowing one hit and no runs to start the game. Will Drewry was 3-for-5 at the plate and Skingle was 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks. Adam McLeod had a pair of RBIs, Shawn Arabsky was 2-for-3 and Zach Diewert had two hits.
GAME ON … Nanaimo plays doubleheaders on the mainland Saturday and Sunday (May 9-10) against the Coquitlam Reds and White Rock Tritons.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com