The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Kelowna Falcons 10-6 to start the week and end their seven-game losing streak. Righty JM Harduvel had a season high six strikeouts on the mound for Kamloops, and the bats were alive all night to secure their 20th victory. After the Falcons tied the game in the top of the fifth, the NorthPaws responded, scoring four in the bottom half on route to the win.
“The biggest thing for us is there’s less added pressure now, we can go out there now and play a little more free, which is great for this team,” said Head Coach Riley Jepson.
Kamloops finally got on the board first, capitalizing on one of four errors committed by the Falcons in the game. Kelowna responded, tying the game in the top of the second, but that was all Harduvel would surrender. A season high in both innings pitched and strikeouts was reached by the righty, going three and two-thirds, striking out six while not walking a batter.
Harduvel was forced to leave the game in the fourth after he appeared to tweak his elbow. He was ok postgame and is expected to keep pitching this season. His Pitching coach reflected on his best start of the season.
“It sucks he got hurt because I know he could’ve gone another inning or two and kept doing what he was doing, but even when he was warming up, I could tell there was a different type of focus and intensity, and he did a great job attacking hitters,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.
With the game tied at one in the bottom of the second, the NorthPaws rallied and took advantage of Kelowna’s mistakes. With one out, shortstop Anthony Setticassi hit into a potentially inning-ending double play, but a throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score. Two batters later, right fielder Connor Clark singled, scoring Setticassi. The third run of the inning was plated after an error by the Falcons’ third baseman, making it 4-1.
In the fifth, with Harduvel out of the game, the Falcons mounted a comeback. After the leadoff man reached due to the catcher’s interference, the Falcons loaded the bases—a pair of sacrifice hits and a double tied the game heading into the bottom half.
Kamloops responded in a big way once again. Second baseman Chris Tampoya got his first RBI in front of the home crowd with a single. With two men on later in the inning, first baseman Keegan Drinkle drilled a double off the wall in right field, scoring Tampoya. A wild pitch scored the third run of the inning before Setticassi sent a single through the left side, making it 8-4.
Kelowna got back within two after scoring four hits, which scored two runs. Although the Falcons out-hit the NorthPaws, Slominski was pleased with his staff only surrendering one walk the entire game.
“They took some good swings tonight, so you have to tip your cap. I can live with that, but tonight was very encouraging. If we keep this up, we’re going to give our team a chance to win every game,” said Slominski.
The NorthPaws put the nail in the coffin in the seventh when Setticassi drew a two-out walk and later scored after a wild pitch and a single. Center fielder Ethan Kodama. Clark later got his second RBI of the night, driving in Kodama for the 10th run of the ballgame.
The losing streak stops at seven, and everyone is relieved, especially during the final push for the postseason.
“I hope they ride this high and take this into the next game and play with more confidence and try to string some wins together,” said Jepson.
The NorthPaws will be on the road Wednesday night as they visit Kelowna for the third and final time of the summer before returning home for the series finale on Thursday night. The team will return to Norbrock Stadium this weekend for their first look at the Nanaimo NightOwls.
Tomorrow’s first pitch is set for 6:35, and you can catch all the Action on West Coast League TV.
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