NANAIMO — When you’re playing a team called the Dudes on Father’s Day, something special is bound to happen.
That was the case Sunday afternoon at historic Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo, where, after morning rain threatened to dampen and even call off the day, the Nanaimo NightOwls battled back from an 8-0 deficit after the first half inning to walk off the Redmond Dudes 11-10, in front of a charged-up crowd of 1,382 — most on hand to celebrate the dads in their lives.
Heck, the sun even made an appearance and drenched the park with warmth in the later innings.
The Dudes used four hits and three walks to score eight — yes, eight — runs in the top of the first inning, and the special day seemed to be a dud in the making. But, as this NightOwls team has shown the ability to do all season, Nanaimo battled back and set up the theatrics in the eighth and ninth innings that gave the NightOwls a three-game sweep of the non-league series.
Riley Paulino had the big blast, a two-out, three-run shot over the right field monster in the eighth inning to tie the game 10-10. Nevan Noonan drove home the winning run through a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the ninth for the decisive run, scoring Ryder Florence, who had collected his first hit as a NightOwl earlier in the inning.
Hsu He-Chieh was 2-6 with three runs driven in, and Deshon Thomas was 2-5.
The NightOwls got effective innings from Joshua Torres, Willem Heilker, Sean FitzGerald and Cole Carmichael, with Li Sih-te earning the win with a spotless ninth inning.
The NightOwls now get Monday off and prepare for a massive rivalry series at home against the Victoria HarbourCats, games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (6:35pm starts).
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