The final college baseball game of the season in Nanaimo was an intense affair.
There were some hard feelings as the VIBI Mariners and Okanagan Coyotes tried to settle their differences, and the M’s ended up outlasting the Yotes 2-1 in Sunday’s finale.
It capped off a weekend split that saw Okanagan win 7-2 in the first game Saturday, VIBI take the second 5-3, and then the visitors win 13-3 in Sunday’s early game.
The two teams went into the weekend tied in the Canadian College Baseball Conference standings, and remain that way.
“If you’re standing in my way and I’m standing in your way, something’s got to give. It’s good to see us compete,” said Nick Salahub, VIBI assistant coach. "When things get heated, do you come together or go apart? Do you win that game?"
Tyson Dyck was one of three Mariners seniors playing his final college game at Serauxmen and said the intensity of the final game brought his team together.
“Everybody has your back, everybody wants to be that guy that makes the next out and helps your teammates and helps your pitchers,” he said.
In Sunday’s win, Tyler Ulrich was the winning pitcher, Justin Johnston provided relief and Matt Brisson had two hits. Brisson had three hits in Sunday’s early game.
In Saturday’s win, Brodie Stairs was the winning pitcher, going 8 1/3 innings. Liam Ballance hit a single and a double and Carver Krafchuk also had two hits.
GAME ON … VIBI is on the road in Kamloops this coming Saturday and Sunday (April 23-24) to play games against the Coyotes and Thompson Rivers University WolfPack.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com