KELOWNA, B.C. — Mission accomplished— a series win on the road to start the season.
Despite a 14-8 setback on a moist Sunday night at Elks Stadium, the Nanaimo NightOwls are 2-1 as they return home for Tuesday’s home opener.
.
The host Falcons found their bats Sunday and put up three runs in the second inning, five more in the fifth, and three runs in the sixth, taking advantage of a thin Nanaimo bullpen that will be bolstered significantly by Tuesday.
.
The NightOwls scored five times in the fifth, taking a brief 5-4 lead, and three more in the eighth — and had the bases loaded in the ninth, the rally thwarted by a pair of strikeouts. Mitchell Middlemiss and Nevin Noonan both had two hits and two runs driven in, and Aaron Marsh drove in a pair. Brayden McClary of VIU had his first career WCL hit.
.
The NightOwls had already ensured a series victory over the host Kelowna Falcons with a decisive 7-3 win Saturday night, an evening after a 7-0 season-opening victory punctuated by outstanding pitching and defence.
Aidan Boice of Salt Lake City CC started for the NightOwls on Sunday and didn’t get much help behind him, leaving after two innings and four runs. Nanaimo used six pitchers in total.
The NightOwls will travel back to the island and have Monday off to prepare for Tuesday’s home opener against the Cowlitz Black Bears, who are managed by 14-year MLB catcher Kelly Stinnett. That series goes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at historic Serauxmen Stadium.
.
The home opener is sponsored by Mainroad MidIsland Contracting. More pitchers and quality position players will arrive in time for the series, including returning lefty Nate Buchan, who will start the home opener.
.
The NightOwls will announce Monday they will unveil First Nations jerseys sporting the outstanding logo designed by Snuneymuxw artist Noel Brown, sponsored by the Kwumut Lelum Foundation — with all team season ticket holders receiving a special surprise gift this week related to that. Being a season ticket holder has its perks!
