The Hub City Paving Pirates didn’t have their best stuff, but managed to split a doubleheader on the road this past weekend.
Nanaimo’s B.C. Premier Baseball League team (25-7) defeated the Victoria Mariners 7-3 before losing the rematch 11-1 on Sunday down the Malahat.
In the first game, the Pirates needed an extra inning to win. They loaded the bases in the eighth and Ben Dunbar drew a walk to push across the go-ahead run. Nanaimo added three more runs before the inning was out.
Bryan Odgers earned the win on the mound after throwing 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief. Griffin Andreychuk was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in and Brendan McCarthy had a double and two RBIs. Justin Clarkson hit a single and a double.
The rematch saw the Mariners get to Pirates pitcher Colby Morgan, who had gone into the game as the league’s earned-run average leader. He got offence from Ryan Smith, who hit a single and a double. The M’s scored enough runs to end the game prematurely partway through the sixth inning.
GAME ON … The Hub City Pirates play the Parksville Royals (8-22) on Wednesday (June 27) at 6 p.m. at Parksville’s Springwood Park. Admission is free.