Kamloops – With two outs in the top of the ninth, the NorthPaws had a comfortable 7-0 lead, but the crowd was on the edge of their seats. Not because the Edmonton RiverHawks were threatening to get back in the ball game but because Evan Dugdale was one pitch away from history.
The righty was cruising all night; he had surrendered just three hits and hadn’t walked a batter through eight innings. He had thrown 85 pitches, and the decision was made. Riley Jepson gave him the green light for the ninth inning. He walked the leadoff batter but recorded two quick outs. They always say the 27th is the hardest of them all, and this rang true for Dugdale.
In a 1-2 count, the crowd eagerly waited, but the RiverHawks batter fouled three straight pitches off. Finally, a chopper to second base sealed it. Evan Dugdale became the first NorthPaw to throw a complete game. His brilliance on the mound was enough of a story already, but at the plate he had three hits and two RBI’s. He was on base four times and scored a run as well.
The Paws cruised to a 7-0 victory, marking their third straight series win. Kamloops struck with two in the first and third, carrying a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the first four batters reached base, with Dugdale driving in the game’s first run with a single. A couple of batters later, Tate Martin made it 2-0 thanks to a sacrifice fly.
In the third, Elijah Olaybal made it 3-0 with a single. Matt McDonald scored run number four off a double steal attempt. This gave Dugdale more than enough confidence as he dialled in and carved up the RiverHawks, striking out five on the night.
In the bottom of the eighth, two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with nobody out. Jared Hall then grounded one to first base, allowing another run to score. Dugdale did his thing once again with his second RBI single of the night. Matt MacDonald then beat out a double play ball, making it 7-0.
The RiverHawks made the righty work for it in the top of the ninth, but once the game was over, it was pure joy for everyone involved. A feat like this can occur from time to time in college and professional baseball, but in a collegiate summer league where pitchers are always being monitored for innings limits and pitch counts, a complete game is extremely rare.
Dugdale captivated not only fans in Kamloops but the rest of the West Coast League. Heading into the ninth, the league sent out a tweet with the link to the broadcast for everyone to see if Dugdale was going to finish the job.
The performance helped the Paws continue their solid run over the last ten days. They’ve won their third straight series and sit just a game and a half back of the Bellingham Bells for an auto-bid playoff spot in the North Division. The road doesn’t get any easier, though, as the West Coast League’s best team, the Wenatchee AppleSox, come to town fresh off a sweep over the Kelowna Falcons.
The final series at Norbrock Stadium begins Friday night at 6:35. Gates open at 5:30 for Healthcare Workers Appreciation Night, where any healthcare worker can get in for free. There will also be discounted alcohol all night.
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