The Nanaimo Pirates have played and won against most of the B.C. Premier Baseball League's best teams.
One opponent they haven't overcome yet, though, is the league's defending champions. The Hub City Paving Pirates face the Victoria Mariners this Wednesday (June 8) at Serauxmen Stadium.
It's the first regular-season meeting between the teams, though Vic has bested Hub City twice in exhibition play.
The Pirates are first in the league with a gaudy 18-2 record, but the Mariners are no slouches themselves – they sit third in the PBL at 13-6.
"They have some good ball players, they have good pitching and they play us tough every time we play them," said Doug Rogers, Pirates manager.
Cody Andreychuk, Pirates first baseman, said the Mariners try to get under the skin of opponents.
"It's their thing – they like to beak off from the bench and we're not all about that," Andreychuk said. "It's going to be a good Island rivalry and we're just going to keep the same approach and keep winning ball games."
Sometimes for Wednesday evening games the Pirates use multiple pitchers, but not this one. Rogers said right-handed ace Kenton Schroter will get the start and keep going as long as he can.
GAME ON … First pitch Wednesday night is slated for 6 p.m. … The Pirates then travel to Kelowna for back-to-back doubleheaders Saturday (June 11) and Sunday against the Okanagan Athletics (13-14).
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