By Cody F. Schmidt

A commanding season series sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties was finished off today by the Edmonton Riverhawks. The Hawks’ bats backed up an absolutely phenomenal start from #16 Tylor Jans, who didn’t give up a single hit until the 7th inning.

Jans was absolutely dominant on the mound with 6.1 innings of work, the first six were scoreless and hitless, with only a hit batter and a fielder’s choice in the 3rd providing runners for the Lefties. In the 7th the Lefties were finally able to battle for a leadoff triple, who came around to score. Jans struck out three while retiring eleven Lefties in a row.

The Riverhawks surged into another early lead with a two-out rally in the 1st. #10 Jonny McGill was hit by a pitch, followed by a single from #1 Kelly Corl and a walk to #42 Tom Poole. With the bases loaded, free passes were granted to #9 Skyler Chang and #19 Will Gardner, while #36 Jakob Poturnak drilled a single to right. Walking away with an early 3-0 lead as the Hawks batted through the order in the 1st.

The Hawks were at it again in the 2nd, with #6 Brett Ott getting plunked before making it to third base on a steal and a pitching error. McGil would also be hit to put a pair of runners on base for Poole to drive home. Knocking a triple to the wall in centre-left, Poole earned two RBI before a Chang single drove him home.

At it again in the 3rd, Gardner smashed a triple to the wall, then was brought home by #12 Evan Overmars grounding out. A walk to Ott then resulted in the eighth run of the game as a single from Poole sent him home

After a 4th inning reprieve from scoring, the Hawks resumed in the 5th as Overmars reached on an E6 throw into the dugout. #31 Christian Grino replaced Ott in the 4th and hit an RBI double in his first AB. Poole walked, then Takayoshi reached on an E3, scoring Grino. Poole would come across for the third time on a Chang single to keep the Hawks on fire.

Relievers #4 Zach Krukewich and #29 Zach Foden pitched after Jans. Kruekwich was only able to get though one out of the 7th, before Foden finished off the frame. Returning for the 8th, Foden gave up a pair of early singles and a single run before clearing the inning. A scoreless 9th belonged to #27 Brendan Loeppky, who secured the win and the sweep for the Hawks in front of 3519 cheering fans.

The final series of the 2023 season begins tomorrow night as the Riverhawks welcome the Victoria HarbourCats. Come down to RE/MAX Field for your last chance at seeing Hawks baseball before next summer, and save time by going to tickets.gohawks.ca beforehand!