The last-place Parksville Royals proved to be no match for the suddenly surging Whalley Chiefs on the weekend, as the Chiefs won both sides of a BC Premier Baseball League doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
In the first game of the two-match set – played at Whalley Athletic Park – the Chiefs edged the Royals 5-3, and followed up by winning the nightcap 3-0.
On Sunday, the Chiefs travelled to Coquitlam, where they knocked off the Reds 12-7. Whalley has now won four straight games and have moved into 11th-place in the 13-team PBL, two games up on the struggling White Rock Tritons, who have lost four in a row.
In their first win Sunday, Whalley’s offense produced just seven hits – all singles – but they stole five bases, including two from right-fielder Daniel Singer, en route to the win.
Pitcher Graham Bailey lasted five innings to earn the win, striking out three while allowing just three hits.
In Game 2, Whalley shortstop Kyle McClomb led the way, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one run-batted-in.
Yuta Kikuzaki went the distance on the mound for the home team, striking out five while allowing just three hits and no runs.
And while the offense managed just 11 hits in the two Saturday games combined, the team was much better at the plate Sunday against the Reds.
The Chiefs pounded Coquitlam pitching for nine hits which, combined with four Reds’ errors, led to the 12-run outburst.
Connor Chorpita and Singer had two hits and two RBI apiece in the win, and relief pitcher Brandon Bohn earned the win, pitching the last two innings of the game, allowing just two hits and no runs.