Trail Orioles are making strides in the Pacific International League as they split a four-game series on the road last weekend.
In the first game against the Kelowna Jays, the O’s were up 4-3 but two untimely errors cost the crew two runs in the final two innings as they fell 5-4 to the Jays.
“We left 11 runners on base, and couldn’t get the key hit,” said player/manager Jim Maniago.
Kellen Jones took the loss but pitched well in six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and three strike outs.
In their second matchup against Vernon, the O’s Connor Jones got the ball and pitched brilliantly. He gave up only one-earned run in the complete game win, scattering four hits and striking out five as Trail went on to a 7-3 victory.
The O’s played better defensively and Jeff Sidey had a great day at the plate going 3 for 4 while Kyle Mace was 1 for 2 with three RBI.
In game three against Langley, with the O’s down 4-3, they loaded the bases in the fifth and sixth innings but failed to score a run in a close 5-3 loss.
In the final game, the Orioles faced a tough Kamloops team.
Kamloops took a 3-2 lead into the top of seven, then scored three runs to open up a 6-2 lead.
With the O’s last bat, they made a stunning comeback scoring five runs including Kellen Jones’ bases clearing triple to tie the game. Darrin Kissock then hit a walk-off single past a drawn-in infield for the 7-6 win.
Kissock started the game and Kellen Jones came on in relief for a combined three hitter, and the win.
“All in all, it was a decent weekend, we were in every game,” Maniago added. “The team that gets the clutch hits and makes less mistakes on defense wins.”
The Orioles next home games are June 25-26, against Northwest Honkers from Washington.