Paws Earn Eplit with Falcons after Canada Day Rainout

Photo Credits – Allen Douglas Photography 
 
KAMLOOPS — A rainout led to a mini home and home set between Kamloops and Kelowna. Both teams ended up earning a win in each other’s ballpark, with 11 runs being the magic number. The split moves the Paws record on the year to 7-19, winners of 3 of their last 4 contests. Joey Rico also extended his hitting streak to 10 games with 5 hits in two games. 
 
Kamloops will be making the long bus trip to Alberta to face the Edmonton RiverHawks for a three game set beginning on Friday.
 
GAME 1 
 
Game one in Kelowna was rained out on Canada Day. The game will be made up at a later time this season. 
 
GAME 2 
 
The series switched back to Kamloops for game two, with the Falcons not forgetting to back their bats in a dominant 11-1 victory.
 
Kelowna starter Gus McKay pitched a gem, throwing 8.0IP 6H 1ER 5K. The only run he would give up in the game came via a sac-fly from TJ Wachter. 
 
Trey Duffield led the attack for the Falcons going 2-5 4RBI 1BB. Trevor Wilson, and Raphael Smeenk added a pair of RBI each as well on the night. 
 
Reigning WCL player of the week Joey Rico went 2-3 in the loss, extending his hitting streak to 9 games in the process. 
 
Jaden Bitter would get tagged with the loss giving up 5ER in 3.0IP. Cade Webber, Manny Recchi, and Tyler Glowacki would also appear on the mound for Kamloops.
 
GAME 3
 
Game three of the shortened series returned to Kelowna for a high-scoring affair between the BC Interior rivals with Kamloops coming out on top 11-8.
 
TRU’s Kolby Lukinchuk got the starting nod for Kamloops pitching 4.0IP, 5ER, 2K. The Paws would be the first to strike putting up three runs in the top of the first inning as Anthony Manuel doubled home three runs for an early 3-0 lead. Kamloops would extend out their lead in the second thanks to local product Matt MacDonald crushed a 2-run homer. 
 
Kelowna would finally respond in the bottom half as Eddie Fines would single home Nate Castellon. MacDonald would add onto his great night at the plate with a 2RBI single in the third to make the score 7-1 at the time. 
 
With the ball flying out of the ballpark, Gavyn Jones would take advantage, clubbing a three-run dinger to trim the lead to 7-4. 
 
Lucas Smith and Manato Tateno combined to pitch 3.0IP, 3ER after Lukinchuk exited. 
 
After an add-on runs in the fifth and seventh innings for Kamloops, the Paws would tack on a pair in the eight to restore a 3 run lead at 11-8.
 
While he didn’t record an RBI, Joey Rico extended his hitting streak to 10 straight games with a 3-4 night at the dish, scoring a pair of runs. 
 
In the ninth, Dutch National Casper Rammeloo came in and locked down the save and a series split. 
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE 
Friday, July 5 @ Edmonton, first pitch 7:05
Saturday, July 6  @ Edmonton, first pitch 7:05
Sunday, July 7  @ Edmonton, first pitch 1:05
Monday, July 8 – Off-Day
Tuesday, July 9 vs Port Angeles, first pitch 6:35
Wednesday, July 10 vs Port Angeles, first pitch 6:35
Thursday, July 11 vs Port Angeles, first pitch 6:35
 
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS
Jenna Forter
General Manager
Kamloops NorthPaws
250-200-1415
www.northpawsbaseball.ca