NANAIMO, B.C. — Six innings, one run, four strikeouts — and just 49 pitches thrown. To say Aidan Boice was dominant for the Nanaimo NightOwls on Monday night at Serauxmen Stadium would be a massive understatement.
The right-hander from Salt Lake CC allowed a double to Trent Duffield in the second inning, and he scored on a sac fly — that was all Boice allowed in leading the NightOwls to a 5-1 victory over the visiting Kelowna Falcons. Strong, often stellar, defense behind him helped in a total team victory for the NightOwls, who improved to 14-16 overall and 2-1 in the second half.
The NightOwls banged out eight hits, and both teams made an error. Nanaimo scored once in the first inning — Riley Paulino singled and scored on the business end of a double steal — and Aaron Marsh drove in Cassidy Watt in the third inning with a single to right.
The big blow was Wylie Waters, after a lengthy debate led by the Kelowna coach with the home plate umpire in the fifth, driving a home run to left with two runners aboard.
After Boice exited to a loud applause, Venezuelan lefty Richtter Castillo came in and went three innings, allowing one hit and striking out two, to earn the save.
The crowd of more than 1,000 was fired up for a chance to see great baseball in great weather, and also to have a chance at winning Taylor Swift concert tickets — thanks to Maxxam Insurance, all ticketed patrons get a chance to enter the draw for the coveted tickets to the December series in Vancouver, through the games Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday against Kelowna at Serauxmen Stadium.
Tickets are available online, at the gate, or get general admission vouchers at all Save On Foods locations in Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Parksville. The NightOwls are in a busy homestand after setting a franchise record on Monday, July 1 with 3,127 in attendance for the Canada Day Classic doubleheader and fireworks show.
