The Pirates begin to celebrate their 7-2 win over the Coquitlam Reds (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

August 3, 2019, Vancouver, BC – The top-seeded Mid-Island Pirates avoided elimination and advanced to the BC Premier Baseball League semi-finals by defeating the Coquitlam Reds 7-2 Saturday night at UBC Stadium in Vancouver.

Reds second baseman Luciano Letteri turns the double play on the Pirates Jackson Stephen during the game Saturday night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Reds second baseman Luciano Letteri turns the double play on the Pirates Jackson Stephen during the game Saturday night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Pirates, who finished first in the BCPBL league this season, with a record of 38-10, were stunned in their opener Friday, losing 2-1 to the UBC Thunder and they will now try to exact their revenge, as it is the Thunder they will now play in the semi-finals Sunday at 12:00 Noon.

Nanaimo starter Ryan Waatainen got the win Saturday night, going the distance in the win over the Reds (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Nanaimo starter Ryan Waatainen got the win Saturday night, going the distance in the win over the Reds (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The winner of that game then earns the opportunity to defeat the 2-0 North Shore Twins twice in order to win the Championship, with the first game going at 3:00 PM Sunday and if needed, the second game happening at 1:00 PM on Monday.

The Mid-Island Pirates celebrate one of their runs in the win over Coquitlam (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The Mid-Island Pirates celebrate one of their runs in the win over Coquitlam (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Reds, who lost to host UBC Friday, were eliminated from further contention with the loss.

Reds pitcher Ryan Blight covers the plate a bit too late on this throw as the Pirates' Odhan Manhas scores one of their 6 runs (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Reds pitcher Ryan Blight covers the plate a bit too late on this throw as the Pirates’ Odhan Manhas scores one of their 6 runs (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Pirates took a while to get going Saturday night, but finally broke through on Coquitlam starter Giordano Mezzomo with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to an RBI single from Jackson Stephen.

Nanaimo catcher Connor Caskenette makes a throw to second after fielding a bunt in Saturday's game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Nanaimo catcher Connor Caskenette makes a throw to second after fielding a bunt in Saturday’s game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

They would add two more in the bottom of the fourth, this time courtesy of a run on an error and an RBI single from Connor Caskenette, and two more in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to another Coquitlam error, and an RBI single from Marcus Steen.

Reds starter Giordano Mezzomo looked good early until the Pirates got to him for a pair of runs in the third inning (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Reds starter Giordano Mezzomo looked good early until the Pirates got to him for a pair of runs in the third inning (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Reds would stage a bit of a rally in the top of the sixth, scoring a pair of runs thanks in part to an RBI single from Cassidy Watt, but that would be as close as they would get, as the Pirates added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning to put the game away.

Pirates starter Ryan Waatainen gets the win, going the distance and giving up the two runs on six hits while striking out four.  The Reds Mezzomo takes the loss.

Offensively the Pirates were led by Caskenette with a pair of hits, two RBI and two runs scored, while Stephen added two hits of his own.  For the Reds, Mezzomo had three hits and a run scored.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

12 NOON SEMI FINAL –  UBC Thunder vs. Mid-Island Pirates
3:00 PM CHAMPIONSHIP – Semi Winner vs. North Shore Twins

Look for more images from this game and others on the BCPBL Facebook page.

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