NANAIMO, B.C. — First baseman and WCL all-star Jacob Hayes (Azusa Pacific) hit his team-record ninth home run Friday to lead the Nanaimo NightOwls to a solid 6-2 victory over the visiting Kamloops NorthPaws in front of a raucous crowd at Serauxmen Stadium.
Hayes blasted a two-run shot to left in the fifth inning giving the NightOwls crucial runs, and moving him past former NightOwls all-star Wylie Waters for the team’s top spot in the key power category.
Nanaimo starter Brennan Kettle needed just 63 pitches to get through five innings, surrendering just four hits and one unearned run. Blake Hager went 2.2 innings with two hits and no runs, and Carter Chard-Hill ended it with 1.1 innings of solid relief.
Hayes and Owen Wessel were both 2-4 and Ryder Florence continued his impressive second half with three runs scored.
The NightOwls are playing their final regular season home games this long weekend, with Kamloops at Serauxmen for games Saturday (6:35pm) and Sunday (1pm). Tickets are available online, at the gate, or General Admission vouchers through Save On Foods.
The NightOwls complete their fourth WCL regular season with a road series in Bellingham, August 4-5-6.
