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Kelowna Falcons

Falcons Fall to Lefties in Middle Game of Three-Game Set

July 31, 2019 - West Coast League (WCL)
Kelowna Falcons News Release


KELOWNA, BC - The Kelowna Falcons couldn't get much offence going as they fell in the middle game of their three-game set by a 4-1 score to the Port Angeles Lefties on Wednesday night at Elks Stadium.

For the second straight night, the Lefties would strike in the opening inning with another two-out single as they did a night ago. Ethan Groff would be the man collecting the RBI on Wednesday, sending a sinking single into right fielder that Austen Butler just could not come up with and gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Falcons starter Nick Nygard settled into a nice groove after surrendering a run and three hits in the first inning while Lefties hurler Joe Kinsky did not allow a Kelowna hit until the 4th inning, which is the frame the the Falcons were able to tie the game.

Cole Cummings was hit by a pitch which was followed up by a single up the middle off the bat of Matt Voelzke which put a pair of runners in scoring position with one out. James Shimashita stood in and socked a ball to right field which brought home a run on the sacrifice fly for his 13th RBI of the season and a 1-1 tie game.

Both starters eased in after that and worked their way into the 7th inning with a 1-1 game before Port Angeles would get their lead back. Ian Fitzgerald led off the inning with a single before a sacrifice bunt and an error moved him along to third base. Gavin Rork brought him home and pushed the Lefties ahead by a 2-1 score.

That was the night for Nygard, who finished with 6.2 innings pitched and not much help from his offence. Nygard allowed two runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Joe Kinsky saw his night come to an end after seven innings of outstanding pitching for the Lefties. He silenced the Falcons offence, giving up just a run on one hit and walking three and striking out four runs for the second straight seven-inning start from a Lefties pitcher.

Kelowna watched a terrific opportunity to tie the game go by in the 8th inning as they pushed runners to second and third base with two outs for Ezra Samperi, who was caught looking on a Zach Tresemer curveball and kept Port Angeles ahead by a 2-1 score.

The Lefties would take advantage of some defensive miscues by the Falcons as two errors led to runners in scoring position before Fitzgerald brought them both home with a two-run single up the middle that gave Port Angeles a 4-1 lead in the 9th with both runs coming off of new Falcons pitcher Adam Sarafinchan.

The Falcons (6-11/16-27) look to salvage their three-game series against the Lefties (10-7/20-23) on Thursday night at Elks Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM with tickets available on the Falcons website as well as at the gate ahead of the opening pitch of the ballgame.

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