The VIBI Mariners got bitten in a four-game set against the Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs on the weekend. Nanaimo’s Vancouver Island Baseball Institute was swept by its Lethbridge opponents at Serauxmen Stadium, losing 6-5 and 6-4 on Saturday, then 12-4 and 4-1 the next day.
“We left some opportunities to do a little more damage on the bases and the more times you do that, eventually that’s going to catch up to you,” said Jordan Blundell, VIBI manager. “The other team executed and got it done.”
It didn’t help matters that two key M’s sustained injuries on the weekend – outfielder Cody Phipps and shortstop Jordan Romine.
“We’re prepared to deal with adversity,” Blundell said. “It’s not ideal, but it gives other guys the opportunity to step up and help the program.”
The Mariners had a chance to start the series with a win on Saturday, but the Dawgs scored the tying and winning runs in the eighth inning. Matt Davis ended up suffering the loss on the mound despite giving up no earned runs over four innings. Skyler Lickiss reached base three times and Blake Robson and Aaron Tyacke each had two hits and an RBI.
The next game saw Cory Curtis suffer the loss, allowing two hits and no earned runs over four innings. Robson scored three runs.
In the third game, Adam Paulencu was the pitcher of record, surrendering seven hits and three earned runs in four innings. Robson had three hits and Jeremy Harasymchuk had two.
Taylor MacDonell took the loss on the mound in the finale.
GAME ON … The M’s head off to Lethbridge for games against PBA and the Calgary Dinos this Saturday (April 23) and Sunday.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com