Kamloops – The NorthPaws were victorious for the third consecutive Wednesday at NorBrocks Stadium following a 3-2 win over the Kelowna Falcons. NorthPaws starter Evan Dugdale threw another gem against Kelowna, going seven shutout innings and giving up just one run. Righty Bryce Payne weathered a late storm from the Falcons but hung on for the six-out save.
Early on, Kamloops looked like they were going to do damage after loading the bases with nobody out in the first. Brock Grainger hit into a double play, scoring a run, but that’s all they’d get.
In the third, Dugdale singled, and Matt MacDonald doubled, bringing up Grainger once again. Similar to his previous at-bat, the first baseman sent a slow roller to second base, allowing a run to score on a sacrifice grounder.
On the mound, Dugdale was electric. He struck out the side in the first and retired 11 of his first 12 batters faced. He carried a no-hitter into the fourth and tossed a shutout through seven innings.
Dugdale’s outing was his third consecutive Wednesday home start against Kelowna, and he was at his best once again.
“I thought his approach tonight was so mature,” Pitching coach Dustin Beggs said. “When you face the same guys over and over again, it can be hard to keep finding success, but he’s shown so much confidence up there every time,”
In the top of the eighth, Bryce Payne was called upon to hold down the fort with the NorthPaws up 2-0. The Falcons seemed thrilled to not be facing Dugdale anymore as they rattled off back-to-back hits, scoring a run and cutting the lead in half. One out and two more singles later, the bases were loaded.
A well-placed ground ball up the middle was fielded by second baseman Dylan Dekker; he flipped it to Kenner Lauterbach at second base and promptly threw it to first, completing the double play and getting the Paws out of a bases-loaded jam.
“I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous given how these last couple of weeks have gone,” Head coach Riley Jepson said. “He (Dekker) made a heck of a play in a big spot for us,”
Kamloops used the defensive heroics to their advantage and rallied in the bottom half. A walk, single, and fielder’s choice scored MacDonald, restoring the two-run lead.
After throwing nearly 30 pitches in the eighth, Payne went back out looking for the six-out save. He got off to a rocky start by giving up a walk and a single with one out. A hit by pitch loaded up the bases, and a sacrifice fly got Kelowna within one. Payne worked a full count and got the Kelowna batter to pop out, ending the game.
“Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he’s out there competing like crazy and doing anything for that final out,” Beggs said.
The NorthPaws will now look to do something they haven’t done all season: win a game in Kelowna. The team pays its final visit to Elks Stadium tomorrow night. First Pitch is scheduled for 6:35.
The NorthPaws are back at home this weekend when the Victoria HarbourCats come to town for a three-game weekend series.
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