The Trail AM Ford Orioles struggled at the plate as they opened their 2013 Pacific International League schedule on the weekend.
The Kamloops Sun Devils rolled into Trail’s Butler Park and took two of three from the Orioles.
The Devils scored 6-3 and 5-0 wins on Saturday before Trail answered back with a 3-2 walk-off win on Sunday.
As is often the case early in the season, pitchers hold an edge over batters and Saturday backed up that trend.
“Especially for us. It’s always make or break with our hitting,” said player manager Jim Maniago.
However, he praised the performance of his pitchers – Kyle Paulson, Scott Davidson and Darrin Kissock.
“In all three games our pitching was outstanding,”
It took until the fourth inning before the Orioles’ bats came to life.
With the Sun Devils holding a 2-0 lead, Joey Underwood, who went 2-for-2 with a walk, managed to collect the Orioles first hit of the game.
Kyle Mace followed that with a home run to quickly put Trail back on even footing.
But the deadlock lasted only two innings. Kamloops brought three batters home in an inning that featured four strikeouts and three walks by the Trail pitcher.
The Orioles couldn’t solve Kamloops pitcher Mike Riddle in the second game either producing only two hits in a 5-0 loss.
Trail native Pat Brown provided a big bulk of the offence for Kamloops scoring one run in the fourth and another in the three-run sixth inning. He capped off the game with an RBI double to finish the game 1-for-3 with a walk.
Scott Rhynold took the loss for the Orioles.
The Orioles got one back in the bottom of the inning on Dallas Calvin’s sacrifice fly but that’s as close as they would come.
Kamloops added two more runs in the seventh to seal the win.
Trail native Cam Strachan went 0-for-2 for the Devils but scored two runs.
Sunday’s game saw Trail jump out to a quick 1-0 lead but the Devils battled back before the game boiled down to the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 2-2.
With Dallas Calvin on second, Scott Davidson delivered a two-out single to bring home the winning run.
The Orioles are back in action at Butler Park this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders against the Kelowna Jays on Saturday and Sunday.