NANAIMO, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls just needed one more hit.
The NightOwls, seeking their first series sweep of the season, fell 5-4 in 11 innings to the visiting Kelowna Falcons on Wednesday night at Serauxmen Stadium.
Kelowna barely got a run across, beating out a would-be double-play ball, in the top of the 11th to provide the difference. The NightOwls had two runners on base in the bottom half but could not get the game-tying, or winning, base knock.
Kelowna outhit the NightOwls 10-6 but made four errors. A difference in the game was three pickoffs at first base, that Nanaimo contended was in part due to a balk move on throws over to first base.
Mitchell Middlemiss stroked a single that would score two runs in the first inning, part of a three-run headstart for the NightOwls. Aaron Marsh tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, the last run Nanaimo would score.
Li Sih-te started and was strong in five innings, giving up one unearned run on five hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. Paul Montgomery, Armaan Drar and Ryan Inouye had strong relief outings, Montgomery and Drar especially effective at closing down other Kelowna threats.
The NightOwls are now 15-17 on the season, in the midst of a playoff battle in the North Division.
The NightOwls head on the road for four games starting Friday with a weekend series in Bellingham that concludes Sunday. Nanaimo moves on for an oddball single game in Port Angeles on Monday, returning home for the mini all-star break with non-league games Tuesday and Thursday against the Nanaimo Caged Athletics Selects.
Tickets for home games 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 expecting more strong crowds after setting a franchise record on Monday, July 1 with 3,127 in attendance for the Canada Day Classic doubleheader and fireworks show.
