A weekend split of a doubleheader Saturday has lifted the Whalley Chiefs into eighth place in the B.C. Premier Baseball League.
The Chiefs defeated the Nanaimo Pirates 5-3 at Whalley Stadium, then lost a rematch 3-1. Their won-lost record is now 5-9, allowing Whalley to take hold of the final playoff position in the 12-team league.
The Chiefs called up pitcher Walter Eschner from their junior team, and the 16-year-old allowed eight hits and one earned run over five innings for the win. Eschner also allowed a pair of unearned runs and walked three batters.
Evan Peterson was credited with a save, pitching the final two innings and allowing three hits and a walk.
Ryan Kaplanis led the Chiefs offense, going three-for-three with a run scored. Lachlan Hunter and Braeden Massignani each had a paid of runs batted in.
The Chiefs managed just one run on five hits in the second game of the day and fell short of the sweep. Matt Legg singled in the fifth inning, then stole second, third and home for the only run by Whalley.
Starting pitcher for the Chiefs was Lucas Soper, who surrendered three earned runs on seven hits in six innings pitched. He had four strikeouts and walked four batters.
The Chiefs were at home last night (Thursday) for one game against the 3-8 Coquitlam Reds. The two teams will play twice Sunday in Coquitlam.