The Kamloops NorthPaws lost game two of their weekend series against the Edmonton Riverhawks 14-8. The NorthPaws got off to a 6-0 lead, but Edmonton scored 14 unanswered runs, stunning the home crowd. On the mound, the Riverhawks were able to pitch seven straight scoreless innings, shutting down the NorthPaw bats.
“I think we went into cruise control today and took our foot off the gas, and it hurt us tonight,” said Assistant Coach Trey Newman.
Kamloops got the lead first with second baseman Elijah Clayton walking and advancing to third on a throwing error. Center fielder Jared Hall drove him in on a sacrifice fly.
In the second inning, the NorthPaws had the bases loaded with no one out, as Clayton doubled, scoring two more runs. Hall would follow suit, doubling to make it four in the inning and a 5-0 ballgame. Brendan Burke singled, scoring the sixth run for the NorthPaws as they took control of the game.
Things would take a sharp turn, however, as Edmonton’s offence came to life. Two doubles, a single, a triple, two wild pitches and two walks lead to six Riverhawk runs, tying the game. In the top of the sixth, the Riverhawks delivered more fatal blows, batting around and scoring five more runs, making it 11 unanswered to that point. The NorthPaws didn’t know what hit them, but in two innings, the game was flipped on its head.
Five Riverhawks had multiple hits, including Trent Lenihan and Shiryu Sato, who combined for seven RBIs. The offensive outburst, mixed with quality pitching, was a duo the NorthPaws couldn’t overcome on Saturday night.
“This team can prove a lot to us coaches and themselves about how they respond in these situations. We’re in a good spot in the first half so far, but we need to win a series at home, so tomorrow’s going to be a big identity game for this group,” said Newman.
The NorthPaws and Riverhawks will wrap up the three-game set on Sunday afternoon. It will be a fun one at the ballpark, especially since it’s Father’s Day. Tickets are being offered at a discounted price. The first pitch is set for 12:05.
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