The Nanaimo Pirates did all the little things right and it added up to a big win over the Parksville Royals.
The Hub City Paving Pirates defeated their neighbours 11-3 on Wednesday night at Serauxmen Stadium.
"It starts with pitching and defence, you do that and all you do is wait for your bats to come through with some timely hitting," said Keith Radix, assistant coach.
Pirates batters came through in the clutch with numerous two-strike hits and two-out RBIs.
"Guys had great approaches; they were patient and when they got their pitches they squared them up," Radix said.
He said all coaches can ask for is execution – getting guys in a position to score and then cashing those runs in – and that's what the Pirates did on Wednesday.
"I think we're more on the same page with each other," said Zach Diewert, Pirates outfielder. "We've been working really hard in practice, working on the little things … Everyone's been really buying into the team aspect and that's winning baseball games."
Diewert led the offence, going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple and four RBIs. Wyatt Strachan was 2-for-3 with a single, double and two RBIs. Tristan Olsen had two RBIs and Chris Vlaj scored three runs. On the mound, Bryce Berg-Stromquist threw six innings for the win.
The Pirates (16-25) have now won four in a row and still have a shot at making the B.C. Premier Baseball League playoffs.
"With the little bit of the run that we're on and the determination in practice that these guys have been putting in the last couple of weeks, we're starting to see the results finally come on the field," Radix said. "It's a little bit late in the season to do it, but it makes for exciting baseball."
GAME ON … The Pirates host the first-place Langley Blaze on Saturday (July 12) at noon and 2:30 p.m. at Serauxmen Stadium. Admission is $5 per game or $8 for a doubleheader. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free.
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