The Kamloops NorthPaws dropped game two of their series 11-2 against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Saturday night at RE/MAX Field. The Riverhawks were dominant from the time the first pitch was thrown, totalling 13 hits.
The Riverhawks got off to a quick start with a double, a hit by pitch and a stolen base, putting runners at second and third with one out. Edmonton third baseman Trent Lenihan (who has nine hits already against the NorthPaws this season) singled through the left side, scoring a pair of runners.
After a scoreless second inning, the bottom of the third would become problematic. The Riverhawks led off with an infield single that proved to be a controversial call, as the throw seemed to be in time for the out. Edmonton capitalized as the next batter tripled to make it 3-0.
The Riverhawks next batter was first baseman Max Stagg, who sent the third pitch of his at-bat to deep left field. Kalen Applefield was tracking it near the wall and couldn’t make the catch. Applefield slammed into the wall at full speed and fell to the ground immediately. Stagg was hustling around the baselines and gunning for an inside-the-park home run. The relay seemed to be in time, but Stagg was called safe as the Riverhawks blew the game open.
The Riverhawks would then load the bases after back-to-back singles and a walk. The fourth and fifth runs of the inning would be driven in via sacrifice flies, making it 7-0.
The NorthPaws finally got on the board in the top of the sixth. First baseman Nolan Austin and left fielder Connor Clark both reached on a fielder’s choice, setting up designated hitter Joey Rico. The left belted a double to right center field, scoring both runners and giving him his 19th and 20th RBIs.
Unfortunately, that was all the NorthPaws could muster as the Riverhawks not only answered in the bottom of the sixth but put up three more runs in the sixth. With two runners on, a throwing error allowed a pair of runners to score. An RBI single with two outs made it 11-2.
That’s how things would end as the NorthPaws struggles continued, now dropping their sixth straight game after starting the first half 5-0. This marks the first time the team has been at .500 since opening day.
Kamloops has a chance to end the streak and salvage the series on Sunday morning. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time.
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