NANAIMO — A fiery affair with late runs being the difference.
The Nanaimo NightOwls fell 8-3 to the visiting Victoria HarbourCats in an energy-filled game Tuesday night at Serauxmen Stadium, a game that will be remembered for an overturned call in the fourth inning that changed the course of the evening.
A wide and high throw to first base that pulled the fielder off the bag saw the initial call of a safe batter-runner — changed to an out after an umpire conference. What would have been a 3-3 tie erased a NightOwls run, and the HarbourCats used the momentum and scored five late runs to seal the deal.
Riley Paulino was 3-4 for the NightOwls, while Wylie Waters, Aaron Marsh, Mitchell Middlemiss and David Draayers all had two hits, part of a 12-hit effort.
Aidan Boice took the loss, going 3.1 innings with five hits and three runs allowed.
The NightOwls scored single runs in the second, fourth and ninth innings, and had offensive pressure on the HarbourCats in most of the innings.
Armaan Drar, Payton Robertson and Tahj Orona also pitched for the NightOwls, who dropped to 6-7 on the season.
The series continues tonight and Wednesday at Serauxmen Stadium — and it is anticipated that former MLB superstar Manny Ramirez will be at the games. His sons, Manny Jr and Lucas, are outfielders with the HarbourCats.
