Hawks Complete Season Sweep Of Lefties

2024-08-04

Edmonton's 5-4 win is thanks to a blast out of the park by Zarowny

By Cody F. Schmidt

In a much closer game than the last two this series, the Edmonton Riverhawks prevailed over the Port Angeles Lefties 5-4. This earned a season sweep of the Lefties for the second year in a row, as the Hawks held on to a one-run lead from the 5th onwards. This Pushes the Hawks back to an even 12-12 on the second half, and puts them a game behind the Bells in the overall standings.

While the Lefties struck first this afternoon, the Riverhawks didn’t spend much time trailing. After giving up a run in the 1st the Hawks got #6 Taichi Nakao on base in the 2nd thanks to a HBP. Nakao advanced on a wild pitch, then was sent to third by a single from #11 Carlos Hernandez. #1 Kaden Zarowny’s single tied the game to bring home Nakao, then #12 Rex Watson crushed a double to deep left, giving the Riverhawks their lead.

Zarowny’s next hit put the Hawks up by a pair more, as in the 4th #9 Mahidutt Tabata led off with a single before Zarowny crushed a home run over the fence. That was Kaden’s first homer of the season, and it let the Hawks hold on to their lead through the rest of the game.

Making his first start of the season in his third appearance of 2024, #56 Zac Foden hit trouble right out of the gate. Port Angeles took an initial lead after a single, a steal, and another single in the 1st, and continued to be able to pick up his pitches as they scored another run thanks to a double, balk, and single in the 2nd. While still allowing a few Lefties on base, Foden had a much calmer 3rd and 4th, working a couple strikeouts and even fielding outs himself. The 5th hurt Foden again, as a single put an extra run aboard as he gave up a home run to Port Angeles without any outs. After a hit batter and a single with one out, Coach Lanferman made the call to #2 Austin Egan who closed out the 5th with a strikeout and a grounder.

Egan continued to work effectively, with a 1-2-3 6th, and a 7th where he only allowed a single. The 8th started well with Egan striking out his first batter, but a walk and a single was enough to end his appearance at 3.0+ IP. #43 Rory Lampe finished off the side on three pitches, and those two outs would be his only outing in the game. The game was finished by #16 Tylor Jans who earned pair of strikeouts, while giving up two walks and a single that threatened the game with loaded bases.

The Riverhawks now head north to face the Nanaimo NightOwls. The three game series will finish off the season, as well as settle the remaining playoff seeding questions. The Hawks still sit poised to make it into the postseason, but between the series with Nanaimo will help settle the final placement of the team in the WCL Playoff bracket. Keep an eye on gohawks.ca and @RiverhawksGames to follow along as the regular season draws to a close.