By Cody F. Schmidt

Locking in a season series victory against the Port Angeles Lefties, the Edmonton Riverhawks won 7-1 tonight. With seven strong innings from #8 Matt Ridsdale, and multi-hit games up and down the lineup the Hawks were having their best night ever! Hawks pitching made the Lefties look baffled as they struck out nine times against Edmonton arms.

The Riverhawks picked right up from where they left off with the Lefties last week. Scratching across a pair in the 2nd, #42 Tom Poole walked to lead off the frame then came around from back-to-back-to-back singles from #12 Evan Overmars, #19 Will Gardner, and #36 Jakob Poturnak. A sac fly from #6 Brett Ott secured the second run before the frame ended. #10 Jonny McGill scored in the 3rd after a leadoff double and a Poole sac fly.

A baffling number of the 4369 fans in attendance came to RE/MAX Field decked out in their hottest pink, dressed up for Barbie Night. Pink concessions, Barbie trivia, and clips from the new movie entertained fans almost as the Riverhawks did.

It was the third start of the season for #8 Matthew Ridsdale and he started his game with a flash, picking off the runner at first for the final out of the 1st. Ridsdale relied on the Hawks defence again in the 2nd, as a sensational play at the plate prevented an early Lefties run from getting across. The Edmontonian had three straight 1-2-3 innings, from the 2nd to the 4th, and expanded his scoreless innings streak to 19.1 before allowing a run in the 5th. Ridsdale ended up throwing 7.0 innings on 84 pitches, striking out seven with only one walk.

The Hawks would add on again in the 6th, as a Poole leadoff single would be followed by a Lefties E6. The error moved Poole to third and left Overmars at first, but a Poturnak single would send home Poole for the Hawks’ fourth run.

A 7th inning rally followed to blow this one out of proportions, McGill walked before #30 Noah Boughton and Poole would both hit singles to load the bases. A walk to Overmars brought McGill home, and Boughton scored on a double play. With Poole alone at third, Poturnak’s third hit of the game counted for an RBI single. McGill also joined the three hit club tonight, with a two out spear in the 8th.

Securing the game, #7 Reece Hemmerling took over in the 8th inning, and tossed a pair of scoreless frames. This continues a perfect season for the Beaumont product, who hasn’t allowed a single run in five relief appearances.

The series continues tomorrow with game two of the series, and the Hawks will aim to keep the momentum rolling. Get your spot at tickets.gohawks.ca and come on down for another fun night at RE/MAX Field.