North Delta Pirates Lose Pitchers Duel to Aldergrove BlueSox but Do What They Need to Do to Advance to the 18U AAA Provincial Semi-Finals on Sunday
When the Penticton Tigers defeated the Vancouver Mounties 10-3 Saturday morning, the odds were stacked in the North Delta Pirates’ favour as one of the two teams that would advance to play in the 18U AAA BCMBA Provincial semi-finals on Sunday. A North Delta win over Aldergrove would assure the North Delta Pirates of advancing. And, if a win was not to be, a low-scoring loss against Aldergrove would put North Delta in a favourable position to advance on the defensive-runs-against-average-per-inning, three-way tie-break, afforded to them as a result of North Delta’s strong pitching and fielding from the day before. And, that’s exactly what happened. Although North Delta were not winners of the game against Aldergrove, strong North Delta pitching and defence held Aldergrove from earning the runs they (and Vancouver) needed. The result is that the North Delta Pirates have earned a berth in the semi-final game on Sunday morning (11am start) against cross-town rival Richmond City Chuckers. Should the North Delta Pirates defeat Richmond in that game, they will play for the Provincial title on Sunday evening at 5:30PM.
Both the North Delta Pirates and Aldergrove were strong on the mound on Saturday, but Aldergrove was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-1 victory over North Delta.
Please see a recap of the game below:
The North Delta Pirates opened the scoring in the second inning when Payton Harper singled, and Sammy Wong scored a run.
Aldergrove tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the second when Jackson Rempel singled and Jacob Beulens scored from second.
The game remained that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Dexter Beyers grounded into a fielder’s choice and M. Beulens and Carson Burns both scored, resulting in a 3-1 lead for Aldergrove.
No additional runs were scored across the rest of the game and Aldergrove defeated North Delta 3-1.
Brendan Grant started the game for the North Delta Pirates and recorded 10 outs. The right-handed pitcher surrendered five hits and one run over three and one-third innings, striking out two and walking none.
Liam Jones pitched two and two-thirds innings in relief, including a stellar series in the fourth inning when he replaced B. Grant. With the bases loaded and one out, Jones struck out the final two batters and North Delta got out of the inning with no damage.
Mason Mandzuk started the game for Aldergrove. The right-handed pitcher surrendered three hits and one run over five and one-third innings, striking out two and walking four.
Harper went 1-for-3 at the plate as the outfielder led the team with its only RBI and was named the game MVP for the North Delta Pirates.
Harper, Wong, and Jared Goumans each collected one hit for North Delta.
Wong led the North Delta Pirates with two of the team’s six walks in the game.
The North Delta Pirates turned two double plays in the game.
D. Beyers provided pop in the middle of the lineup, leading Aldergrove with two runs batted in going 1-for-3 on the day.
Beyers, Ryan Heutink, Burns, Rempel, J. Beulens, Brendan Rohrer, and Damon Bernemann each collected one hit for Aldergrove.
Aldergrove turned one double play in the game.
The North Delta Pirates have earned a berth in the semi-final game on Sunday morning (11am start) against cross-town rival Richmond Chuckers. Should the North Delta Pirates defeat Richmond in that game, they will play for the Provincial title on Sunday evening at 5:30PM. All games are at Hillcrest Park in Surrey.
For more information about the North Delta Pirates and to view player and coach profiles, visit www.northdeltapirates.ca. Follow the team on Instagram (@northdeltapirates), Facebook, and Twitter (@piratesnd) for exclusive content and updates throughout the season.
To become a team sponsor or for media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Matt Grant
Director with the North Delta Pirates
northdeltapirates@gmail.com
